FORM 10-K
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
[ X ] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended DECEMBER 31, 1996
OR
[ ] Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ____________ to ____________
Commission file number 1-1217
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York 13-5009340
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
4 Irving Place, New York, New York 10003
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number: (212) 460-4600
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Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Name of each exchange
Title of each class on which registered
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.,
7 3/4% Quarterly Income Capital Securities (Series A New York Stock Exchange
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures)
$5 Cumulative Preferred Stock, without par value New York Stock Exchange
Cumulative Preferred Stock, 4.65% Series C New York Stock Exchange
($100 par value)
Cumulative Preference Stock, 6% Convertible Series B
($100 par value) New York Stock Exchange
Common Stock ($2.50 par value) New York, Chicago and
Pacific Stock Exchanges
Kings County Electric Light and Power Company,
Purchase Money, 6%, 99 Years Gold Bonds, due New York Stock Exchange
due October 1, 1997 (non-callable)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of each class
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., Cumulative Preferred Stock,
4.65% Series D ($100 par value)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
Indicate by check mark if the disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in the definitive proxy statement
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ X ]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant, as of January 31, 1997, was $7,414,319,109. Excluded from this
figure is $1,862,666 representing the market value of 60,086 shares of Common
Stock held by the registrant's Trustees (directors). The registrant's Trustees
are the only stockholders of the registrant, known to the registrant, who might
be deemed "affiliates" of the registrant.
As of February 28, 1997, the registrant had outstanding 235,004,373 shares
of Common Stock.
Documents Incorporated By Reference
Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders, to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not
later than 120 days after December 31, 1996, the close of the registrant's
fiscal year, are incorporated in Part III of this report.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I
ITEM 1. Business 4
ITEM 2. Properties 20
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings 23
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders None
Executive Officers of the Registrant 31
PART II
ITEM 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity
and Related Stockholder Matters 36
ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data 36
ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 37
ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 47
ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure None
PART III
ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant *
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation *
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management *
ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions *
PART IV
ITEM 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K 69
SIGNATURES 79
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*Incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement for its
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 19, 1997.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Contents of Item 1 Page
THE COMPANY 4
INDUSTRY SEGMENTS 5
ELECTRIC OPERATIONS 5
GAS OPERATIONS 8
STEAM OPERATIONS 10
COMPETITIVE BUSINESSES AND COMPETITION 11
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND FINANCING 11
FUEL SUPPLY 12
REGULATION AND RATES 14
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS AND RELATED LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 15
GENERAL 17
EMPLOYEES 17
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 17
OPERATING STATISTICS 18
THE COMPANY
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (the Company), incorporated
in New York State in 1884, supplies electric service in all of New York City
(except part of Queens) and most of Westchester County, an approximately 660
square mile service area with a population of more than 8 million. It also
supplies gas in Manhattan, The Bronx and parts of Queens and Westchester, and
steam in part of Manhattan. State and municipal customers within the Company's
service territory receive electric service from the New York Power Authority
(NYPA) through the Company's facilities.
The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC), by order issued and
effective May 20, 1996 in its "Competitive Opportunities" proceeding, endorsed a
fundamental restructuring of the electric utility industry in New York State,
based on competition in the generation and energy services sectors of the
industry. On March 13, 1997, Con Edison and the PSC staff entered into a
settlement agreement with respect to this proceeding. The settlement agreement
is subject to PSC approval. For information about the settlement agreement and
changes to the Company's business, see "Liquidity and Capital Resources
Competition and Restructuring and PSC Settlement Agreement " in Item 7 and
"Competitive Businesses," below.
This report includes forward-looking statements, which are statements of
future expectation and not facts. Words such as "estimates," "expects,"
"anticipates," "plans," and similar expressions identify forward-looking
statements. Actual results or developments might differ materially from those
included in the forward-looking statements because of factors such as
competition and industry restructuring, changes in economic conditions, changes
in historical weather patterns, changes in laws, regulations or regulatory
policies, developments in legal or public policy doctrines, technological
developments and other presently unknown or unforeseen factors.
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INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
In 1996, electric, gas and steam operating revenues were 79.6 percent,
14.6 percent and 5.8 percent, respectively, of the Company's operating revenues.
For information on operating revenues, expenses and income for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, and assets at those dates, relating to the
Company's electric, gas and steam operations, see Note J to the financial
statements in Item 8. For information about changes to the Company's business,
see "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Competition and Restructuring and PSC
Settlement Agreement" in Item 7 and "Competitive Businesses," below.
ELECTRIC OPERATIONS
ELECTRIC SALES. Electric operating revenues were $5.6 billion in 1996 or
79.6 percent of total Company operating revenues. The percentages were 82.5 and
80.6, respectively, in the two preceding years. Electricity sales in the
Company's service area in 1996, including usage by customers served by NYPA and
the New York City and Westchester County municipal electric agencies, but
excluding off-system sales, increased 0.8 percent from 1995, after increasing
0.7 percent and 2.0 percent, respectively, in the two preceding years. After
adjusting for variations, principally weather and billing days, electricity
sales volume increased 0.9 percent in 1996, 1.2 percent in 1995 and 1.5 percent
in 1994. Weather-adjusted sales represent the Company's estimate of the sales
that would have been made if historical average weather conditions had occurred.
In 1996, 79.8 percent of the electricity delivered in the Company's
service area was sold by the Company to its customers, and the balance was
delivered to customers of NYPA and municipal electric agencies. Of the Company's
sales, 29.2 percent was to residential customers, 66.9 percent was to commercial
customers, 2.2 percent was to industrial customers and the balance was to
railroads and public authorities.
For further information about amounts of electric energy sold, see
"Operating Statistics," below. For information about the Company's current
electric rate agreement, see "Liquidity and Capital Resources - 1995 Electric
Rate Agreement" in Item 7. For information about changes that will permit the
Company's customers to choose alternative energy suppliers, see "Liquidity and
Capital Resources - Competition and Restructuring and PSC Settlement Agreement"
in Item 7.
ELECTRIC SUPPLY. The Company either generates the electric energy it
sells, purchases the energy from other utilities or non-utility generators
(NUGs, sometimes referred to as independent power producers or IPPs) pursuant to
long-term firm power contracts or purchases non-firm economy energy.
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The sources of electric energy generated and purchased during the years
1992-1996 are shown below:
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
Generated:
Fossil-Fueled* ........... 42.3% 35.5% 30.9% 30.1% 22.7%
Nuclear (Indian Point 2) . 20.4% 14.8% 18.4% 10.8% 17.7%
Total Generated ............ 62.7% 50.3% 49.3% 40.9% 40.4%
Firm Purchases:
NYPA ..................... 4.8% 6.0% 1.3% 1.3% 2.0%
Hydro-Quebec ............. 2.9% 4.3% 4.8% 5.8% 6.0%
Non-Utility Generators ... 8.9% 11.9% 12.9% 29.9% 29.5%
Other Purchases* ........... 20.7% 27.5% 31.7% 22.1% 22.1%
Total Purchased ............ 37.3% 49.7% 50.7% 59.1% 59.6%
Generated & Purchased ...... 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
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* For 1996 and 1995, includes electricity generated for others. See "Gas
Conversions" and "Operating Statistics", below.
For further information about amounts of electric energy generated and
purchased, see "Operating Statistics", below. For information about the
Company's generating facilities, see "Electric Facilities - Generating
Facilities" in Item 2. For information about divestiture of the Company's
generating capacity, see "Liquidity and Capital Resources - PSC Settlement
Agreement" in Item 7. For information about the Company's purchases of electric
energy, see "NYPA", "Hydro-Quebec", "Non-Utility Generators", "New York Power
Pool" and "Gas Conversions", below.
ELECTRIC PEAK LOAD AND CAPACITY. The electric peak load in the Company's service
area occurs during the summer air conditioning season. The 1996 one-hour peak
load in the Company's service area (which occurred on July 18, 1996) was 9,788
thousand kilowatts (MW). The record peak load for the service area, which
occurred on August 2, 1995 was 10,805 MW. The 1996 peak load included an
estimated 8,158 MW for the Company's customers and 1,630 MW for NYPA's customers
and municipal electric agency customers. The 1996 peak, if adjusted to
historical design weather conditions, would have been 10,950 MW, 100 MW higher
than the peak in 1995 when similarly adjusted. The Company estimates that, under
design weather conditions, the 1997 service peak load would be 11,050 MW,
including 9,300 MW for the Company's customers. "Design weather" for the
electric system is a standard to which the actual peak load is adjusted for
evaluation.
The capacity resources available to the Company's service area at the time
of the system peak in the summer of 1996 totaled (before outages) 13,635 MW, of
which 10,362 MW represented net available generating capacity (including the
capacity of NYPA's Poletti and Indian Point 3 units) and 3,273 MW represented
net firm purchases by the Company and NYPA. The Company expects to have
sufficient electric capacity available to meet the requirements of its customers
in 1997. For information about the Company's capacity reserve margin, see "New
York Power Pool", below.
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For information about the Company's generating, transmission and
distribution facilities, see "Electric Facilities" in Item 2. For information
about divestiture of the Company's generating capacity, see "Liquidity and
Capital Resources - PSC Settlement Agreement" in Item 7. For information about
the Company's plans to meet its requirements for electric capacity, see
"Liquidity and Capital Resources - Electric Capacity Resources" in Item 7.
NYPA. NYPA supplies its customers in the Company's service area with
electricity from its Poletti fossil-fueled unit in Queens, New York, its Indian
Point 3 nuclear unit in Westchester County and other NYPA sources. Electricity
is delivered to these NYPA customers through the Company's transmission and
distribution facilities, and NYPA pays a delivery charge to the Company. NYPA is
contractually obligated to the Company to provide the capacity needed to meet
the present and future electricity requirements of its customers, except that
upon 17 years' prior notice to the Company, NYPA may elect not to provide for
future growth of its customers' requirements.
The Company purchases portions of the output of Poletti and Indian Point 3
on a firm basis. The Company also purchases firm capacity from NYPA's
Blenheim-Gilboa pumped-storage generating facility in upstate New York. The
Company and NYPA also sell to each other energy on a non-firm basis.
HYDRO-QUEBEC. The Company has an agreement with NYPA to purchase, through
a contract between NYPA and Hydro-Quebec (a government-owned Canadian electric
utility), 780 MW of capacity and associated kilowatt-hours of energy each year
during the months of April through October until October 31, 1998. The amount
and price of a "basic amount" of energy the Company is entitled to purchase each
year are subject to negotiation with Hydro-Quebec and approval by the National
Energy Board of Canada, a Canadian regulatory agency. However, the capacity
commitment is firm and the Company may draw upon the capacity in accordance with
the contract even if the energy received by the Company exceeds the basic
amount, provided the Company returns the excess energy to Hydro-Quebec during
the following November-through-March period. Subject to regulatory approvals,
this contract has been extended to cover purchases by the Company of 400 MW of
power during the April-through-October periods of 1999 through 2003.
NON-UTILITY GENERATORS. Federal and state regulations encourage
competition in the market for generation of electric power. These laws generally
require electric utilities to purchase electric power from and sell electric
power to qualifying NUGs. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has
issued rules requiring utilities to purchase electricity from qualifying
facilities at a price equal to the purchasing utility's "avoided cost." For
information about the Company's contracts with NUGs, see "Liquidity and Capital
Resources - Electric Capacity Resources and Competition and Restructuring and
PSC Settlement Agreement" in Item 7 and Note G to the financial statements in
Item 8.
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NEW YORK POWER POOL. The Company and the other major electric utilities in
New York State, including NYPA, are members of the New York Power Pool. The
primary purpose of the Power Pool is to coordinate planning and operations so as
to better assure the reliability of the State's interconnected electric systems.
As a member of the Power Pool, the Company is required to maintain its capacity
resources (net generating capacity and net firm purchases) at a minimum reserve
margin of 18% above its peak load, and to pay penalties if it fails to maintain
the required level. The Company met the reserve requirement in 1996 and expects
to meet it in 1997. For information about a plan to restructure the wholesale
electric market in New York State, see "Liquidity and Capital Resources
Competition and Restructuring" in Item 7.
MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC AGENCIES. Westchester County and New York City maintain
municipal electric agencies to purchase electric energy, including hydroelectric
energy from NYPA. The Company has entered into agreements with the County and
City agencies whereby the Company is delivering interruptible hydroelectric
energy from NYPA's Niagara and St. Lawrence projects to electric customers
designated by the agencies. These agreements may be terminated by either party
upon either one year's prior notice or, in certain circumstances, upon 10 days'
notice. A similar agreement, covering energy from NYPA's Fitzpatrick nuclear
plant, provides for termination in 2010. For information on the amount of energy
delivered, see "Operating Statistics," below.
GAS CONVERSIONS. In 1996, the Company, for a fee, generated 1,672,603
MWhrs of electric energy (3.8 percent of the electric energy generated and
purchased by the Company) for others using as fuel gas that they provided, and
subsequently purchased 1,553,764 MWhrs of such electric energy for sale to the
Company's customers. In 1995, 3,159,047 MWhrs were so generated (7.0 percent of
the electric energy generated and purchased by the Company), of which 2,666,837
MWhrs were subsequently purchased by the Company.
GAS OPERATIONS
GAS SALES. Gas operating revenues in 1996 were $1.0 billion or 14.6
percent of total Company operating revenues. The percentages were 12.4 and 14.0,
respectively, in the two preceding years. Gas sales volume to firm customers
increased 8.9 percent in 1996 from the 1995 level. After adjusting for
variations, principally weather, firm gas sales volume to these customers
increased 1.9 percent. Including sales to interruptible and off-system
customers, actual sales volume increased 19.0 percent in 1996.
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The Company sells gas to its firm gas customers at the Company's cost. The
Company shares with its firm gas customers net revenues (operating revenues less
the cost of gas purchased for resale) from interruptible gas sales, off-system
sales and other "non-core" transactions. Regardless of whether the Company or
another supplier sells the gas to customers in the Company's service area, the
gas is distributed to the customers through the Company's system of distribution
mains and service lines. The customers pay the Company a fee (reflecting the
Company's costs and a rate of return on the Company's investment in its gas
system) for distributing the gas. For information about the Company's current
gas rate agreement see "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Gas and Steam Rate
Agreements" in Item 7. For Information about the Company's gas facilities, see
"Gas Facilities" in Item 2.
All of the Company's gas customers, either individually (at least 3,500
dekatherms per annum) or by aggregating their demand with other customers (at
least 5,000 dekatherms per annum), became eligible in 1996 to purchase gas
directly from suppliers other than the Company. In 1996, 100 large-volume
customers, with a total usage of approximately 20,000,000 dekatherms per annum,
had contracts enabling them to purchase gas from other suppliers. The Company
sold to these customers 75 percent of the gas used by them. By the end of 1996,
12 smaller firm gas customers, with a total annual usage of approximately 17,200
dekatherms per annum, had aggregated their demand. All of the gas used by these
smaller customers in 1997 is expected to be supplied by gas marketers
unaffiliated with the Company.
The Company enters into off-system sales transactions such as releases of
pipeline capacity and bundled sales of gas and ancillary services. Net revenues
from these transactions were $15.1 million in 1996, compared to $2.5 million in
1995.
For information on the quantities of gas sold, transported for others and
used by the Company as boiler fuel to generate electricity and steam, see
"Operating Statistics" and "Fuel Supply," below.
GAS REQUIREMENTS. Firm demand for gas in the Company's service area peaks
during the winter heating season. The design criteria for the Company's gas
system assume severe weather conditions that have not occurred in the Company's
service area since 1934. Under these criteria, the Company estimates that the
requirements to supply its firm gas customers, together with the minimum amount
essential for its electric and steam systems, would amount to 71,400 thousand
dekatherms (mdth) of gas during the 1996/97 winter heating season and that gas
available to the Company would amount to 92,300 mdth. For the 1997/98 winter,
the Company estimates that the requirements would amount to approximately 72,200
mdth and that the gas available to the Company would amount to approximately
92,300 mdth. As of March 15, 1997, the 1996/97 winter peak day sendout to the
Company's customers was 798 mdth, which occurred on January 18, 1997. The
Company estimates that, under the design criteria, the peak day requirements for
firm customers during the 1997/98 winter season would amount to approximately
862 mdth and expects that it would have sufficient gas available to meet these
requirements.
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GAS SUPPLY. The Company has contracts for the purchase of firm
transportation and storage services with seven interstate pipeline companies.
The Company also has contracts with sixteen pipeline and non-pipeline suppliers
for the firm purchase of natural gas. The Company also has interruptible gas
purchase contracts with numerous suppliers and interruptible gas transportation
contracts with interstate pipelines. The Company expects to have sufficient gas
supply to meet the requirements of its customers in 1997.
STEAM OPERATIONS
STEAM SALES. The Company sells steam in Manhattan south of 96th Street,
mostly to large office buildings, apartment houses and hospitals. In 1996, steam
operating revenues were $405 million or 5.8 percent of total Company operating
revenues. The percentages were 5.1 and 5.4, respectively, in the two preceding
years. Steam sales volume increased 1.9 percent in 1996 from the 1995 level.
After adjusting for variations, principally weather, steam sales decreased 0.1
percent. For information about the Company's current steam rate agreement, see
"Liquidity and Capital Resources - Gas and Steam Rate Agreements" in Item 7.
STEAM SUPPLY. 47.3 percent of the steam sold by the Company in 1996 was
produced in the Company's electric generating stations, where it is first used
to generate electricity. 2.2 percent of the steam sold by the Company in 1996
was purchased from a NUG. The remainder was produced in the Company's steam-only
generating units. For information about the Company's steam facilities, see
"Steam Facilities" in Item 2.
STEAM PEAK LOAD AND CAPABILITY. Demand for steam in the Company's service
area peaks during the winter heating season. The one-hour peak load during the
winter of 1996/97 (through March 15, 1997) occurred on January 13, 1997 when the
load reached 10.0 million pounds. The Company estimates that for the winter of
1997/98 the peak demand of its steam customers would be approximately 12.2
million pounds per hour under design criteria, which assume severe weather.
On December 31, 1996, the steam system had the capability of delivering
about 14.2 million pounds of steam per hour. This figure does not reflect the
unavailability or reduced capacity of generating facilities resulting from
repair or maintenance. The Company estimates that, on a comparable basis, the
system will have the capability to deliver approximately 13.1 million pounds of
steam per hour in the 1997/98 winter.
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COMPETITIVE BUSINESSES AND COMPETITION
For information about competition in the electricity and gas industries
and additional information about the Company's plans to engage in competitive
businesses, see "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Electric Capacity Resources,
Competition and Industry Restructuring and PSC Settlement Agreement" in Item 7
and "Gas Operations - Gas Sales," above.
ProMark Energy, Inc. and Gramercy Development, Inc, each a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, engage in competitive businesses.
ProMark was formed in 1993 to market gas and related services. In 1996,
the PSC eliminated its restriction which had prohibited ProMark from marketing
gas within the Company's gas service area. In March 1997, the PSC authorized an
expansion of ProMark's business activities that will permit ProMark to become a
full-service provider of energy services engaging in both wholesale and retail
sales of electricity and gas and related services.
Gramercy Development was formed in late 1996 to invest in energy
infrastructure development projects and to market technical services.
The financial statements in Item 8 include the accounts of the Company and
its wholly-owned subsidiaries (with intercompany transactions eliminated). At
December 31, 1996, the Company's investment in these subsidiaries was
approximately $16 million. The results of operations of these subsidiaries have
not been material.
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND FINANCING
For information about the Company's capital requirements and financing,
the refunding of certain securities and the Company's securities ratings, see
"Liquidity and Capital Resources" in Item 7.
Securities ratings assigned by rating organizations are expressions of
opinion and are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities. A
securities rating is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the
assigning rating organization. Each rating should be evaluated independently of
any other rating.
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FUEL SUPPLY
GENERAL. In 1996, 22.1 percent of the electricity supplied to the
Company's customers was obtained by the Company through economy purchases of
energy produced from a variety of fuels. Of the remaining 77.9 percent, which
was either obtained through firm purchases of energy, generated by the Company
for its customers, or generated by the Company for others from their fuel and
subsequently purchased by the Company (see "Electric Operations", above), oil
was used to generate 8.7 percent of the electricity, natural gas 43.0 percent,
nuclear power 19.3 percent, hydroelectric power 6.0 percent, and refuse 0.9
percent. In 1996, the Company used oil to produce 63.1 percent, and gas to
produce 34.7 percent, of the steam supplied to the Company's customers. The
remaining 2.2 percent was purchased by the Company from a NUG.
A comparison of the cost, in cents per million Btu, of fuel used by the
Company to generate electricity and steam (excluding electricity generated for
others as described under "Gas Conversions," above) during the years 1992-1996
is shown below:
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
Residual Oil ...... 345 352 316 316 441
Distillate Oil .... 501 499 467 399 465
Natural Gas ....... 285 288 255 253 324
Nuclear ........... 43 37 42 51 50
Weighted Average .. 232 243 206 223 255
The Company is prohibited from using fuels that do not conform to the
requirements of the New York State air pollution control code and, in the case
of its in-City plants, the New York City air pollution control code. In the
City, the Company is not permitted to burn coal or to burn residual fuel oil
having a sulfur content of more than 0.3 percent.
RESIDUAL OIL. Based on anticipated consumption rates, the Company has an
adequate supply of residual fuel oil for its generating stations and the
Company's shares of generating capacity at the Roseton and Bowline Point
stations jointly-owned by the Company and other utilities. See "Electric
Facilities" in Item 2. Oil consumption rates vary widely from month to month.
The oil burned at Company facilities in 1996, including the Company's shares of
generating capacity at Roseton and Bowline Point, totaled 10.4 million barrels.
The Company has contracts for oil supply that have staggered termination dates
and has options for additional oil supply sufficient to cover all of its
expected requirements for residual oil through September 1997. The Company
anticipates covering the balance of its 1997 requirements through new contracts,
exercise of existing contract options and purchases on the spot market.
NATURAL GAS. During 1996, the Company burned approximately 89,900 mdth of
gas for the production of electricity and steam, including 5,000 mdth
attributable to the Company's share of generating capacity at the Roseton and
Bowline Point stations and 16,700 mdth of gas provided by others. See "Electric
Operations - Gas Conversions," above. The Company expects to continue to have
substantial amounts of gas available in 1997 for the production of electricity
and steam for its customers.
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DISTILLATE OIL. The Company's estimated 1997 requirements for distillate
oil for gas turbine fuel are about 200,000 barrels. The Company expects to be
able to satisfy these requirements through purchases on the spot market.
COAL. The Company does not burn coal. In 1983, the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) ruled on an application by the
Company for permission to convert three electric generating units, Ravenswood 3
in Queens and Arthur Kill 2 and 3 on Staten Island, to coal-burning. The DEC
ruled that the Company would be permitted to burn coal at each location only if
flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems were installed. The Company's studies
showed that it would not be economical to pursue coal conversion with FGD
systems. However, the Company has installed most of the necessary facilities
(without FGD systems) at Ravenswood 3 and Arthur Kill 3 to provide for
coal-burning in emergency circumstances such as an oil supply interruption. Even
in such an emergency, a special permit, or waiver of existing restrictions,
would be required to allow the Company to burn coal at these units.
NUCLEAR FUEL. The nuclear fuel cycle for power plants like Indian Point 2
consists of (1) mining and milling of uranium ore, (2) chemically converting the
uranium in preparation for enrichment, (3) enriching the uranium, (4)
fabricating the enriched uranium into fuel assemblies, (5) using the fuel
assemblies in the generating station and (6) storing the spent fuel.
Contracts for uranium and conversion are in the process of being
negotiated. The uranium and conversion provided under these contracts, together
with that already purchased, will be sufficient for the planned 1997 and 1999
refuelings of Indian Point 2. Arrangements are expected to be completed in 1998
for the additional uranium and conversion required for the expected 2001
refueling of Indian Point 2. The Company has contracts covering most of its
expected requirements for uranium enrichment services and all of its expected
requirements for fuel fabrication services through the expiration of Indian
Point 2's operating license in 2013.
Under normal operating conditions, scheduled refueling and maintenance
outages are generally required for Indian Point 2 after each cycle of
approximately 22 months of operation. A refueling and maintenance outage is
scheduled to commence in May 1997. Mid-cycle inspection and maintenance outages
may also be required. An unscheduled Indian Point 2 outage commenced on January
25, 1997 and ended on March 15, 1997.
See "Nuclear Decommissioning" and "Nuclear Fuel" in Note A to the
financial statements in Item 8.
The Company is one of eleven utilities participating in a private spent
fuel storage initiative, which plans to license and build an interim,
commercial, spent nuclear fuel storage facility by 2002. The site currently
under consideration is on the Skull Valley Goshute Indian Reservation in Utah.
Since 1995, each participant has contributed approximately $1 million for
engineering, licensing and legal studies for the preparation of a license
submittal to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by the third quarter of 1997.
Thereafter, each participating utility will have an opportunity to decide
whether or not to continue its participation in this project. See "Liquidity and
Capital Resources -- Nuclear Fuel Disposal" in Item 7.
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The Company disposes of low-level radioactive wastes (LLRW) generated at
Indian Point at the licensed disposal facility located in Barnwell, South
Carolina. Under the 1985 Federal Low Level Radioactive Waste Amendments Act, New
York State was required by January 1996 to provide for permanent disposal of all
LLRW generated in the state. New York State has not provided for such disposal.
The Company expects that it will be able to provide for such storage of LLRW as
may be required until New York State establishes a storage or disposal facility
or adopts some other LLRW management method.
REGULATION AND RATES
GENERAL. The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates,
among other things, the Company's electric, gas and steam rates, the siting of
its transmission lines and the issuance of its securities.
Certain activities of the Company are subject to the jurisdiction of the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) regulates the Company's nuclear units. In addition, various matters
relating to the construction and operation of the Company's facilities are
subject to regulation by other governmental agencies.
For information about changes in regulation affecting the Company, see
"Liquidity and Capital Resources - Competition and Industry Restructuring and
PSC Settlement" in Item 7.
ELECTRIC, GAS and STEAM RATES. The Company's rates are among the highest
in the country. For information about the Company's rates, see "Liquidity and
Capital Resources - 1992 Electric Rate Agreement, 1995 Electric Rate Agreement,
PSC Settlement Agreement and Gas and Steam Rate Agreements" in Item 7.
New York State law requires electric and gas utilities to charge religious
organizations rates that do not exceed those charged to residential customers.
In December 1994, the Company and the New York Attorney General executed a
settlement under which the Company admitted no wrongdoing but agreed to provide
refunds to religious organizations that had been served under generally higher
commercial rates and transfer affected customers to the appropriate rates. In a
related matter, seven customers have sued the Company in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York each claiming that it has
operated as a religious organization and has been charged commercial rates for
electric service. The plaintiffs are seeking $500 million for the class members
in this purported class action. The Company is opposing plaintiffs' motion for
class certification and the Company has made a motion for summary judgment. The
suit is entitled Brownsville Baptist Church, et. al. v. Consolidated Edison
Company of New York, Inc.
STATE ENERGY PLAN. In October 1994, the New York State Energy Planning
Board, released its most recent State Energy Plan. The plan is designed to
provide "an intelligent framework for evaluating the proper course for energy
policy, environmental protection and economic development . . . to assure that
New Yorkers will have a safe, affordable and reliable supply of energy that will
promote future economic growth and protect our environment." Under New York
State law, any energy-related decisions of State agencies must be reasonably
consistent with the plan. The Energy Planning Board has announced that a new
plan will be issued during 1997.
<PAGE>
15
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS AND RELATED LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
GENERAL. During 1996, the Company's capital expenditures for environmental
protection facilities and related studies were approximately $45 million. The
Company estimates that such expenditures will amount to approximately $53
million in 1997 and $43 million in 1998. These amounts include capital
expenditures in 1997 and 1998 required to comply with the Federal Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1990 and a 1994 consent decree with the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Clean Air
Act Amendments" in Item 7 and "Environmental Matters - DEC Settlement" in Note F
to the financial statements in Item 8.
INDIAN POINT. The Company believes that a serious accident at its Indian
Point 2 nuclear unit is extremely unlikely, but despite substantial insurance
coverage, the losses to the Company in the event of a serious accident could
materially adversely affect the Company's financial position and results of
operations. For information about Indian Point 2 and the Company's retired
Indian Point 1 nuclear unit, see "Electric Operations" and "Fuel Supply Nuclear
Fuel" above, "Cooling Towers" below, "Electric Facilities - Generating
Facilities" in Item 2, "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Capital Requirements"
in Item 7 and Notes A and F to the financial statements in Item 8.
SUPERFUND. The Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund) by its terms imposes joint and several
strict liability, regardless of fault, upon generators of hazardous substances
for resulting removal and remedial costs and environmental damages. In the
course of the Company's operations, materials are generated that are deemed to
be hazardous substances under Superfund. These materials include asbestos and
dielectric fluids containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Other hazardous
substances are generated in the Company's operations or may be present at
Company locations. Also, hazardous substances were generated at the manufactured
gas plants which the Company and its predecessor companies used to operate. For
additional information about Superfund, see "Superfund" in Item 3 and
"Environmental Matters - Superfund Claims" in Note F to the financial statements
in Item 8.
ASBESTOS. Asbestos is present in numerous Company facilities. For
information about asbestos, see "Environmental Matters - Asbestos Claims" in
Note F to the financial statements in Item 8 and "Gramercy Park" and "Asbestos
Litigation" in Item 3.
TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT. Virtually all electric utilities, including
the Company, own equipment containing PCBs. PCBs are regulated under the Federal
Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. The Company has reduced substantially the
amount of PCBs in electrical equipment it uses, including transformers located
in or near public buildings.
For information about a claim under the Toxic Substances Control Act, see
"Toxic Substances Control Act" in Item 3.
AIR QUALITY. For information about the Federal Clean Air Act amendments of
1990, see "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Clean Air Act Amendments" in Item
7. For information about divestiture of the Company's in-City generating
capacity, see "Liquidity and Capital Resources - PSC Settlement Agreement" in
Item 7.
<PAGE>
16
The flue gases from oil combustion furnaces, including the Company's
generating stations, contain microscopic particles of ash and soot. Some
chemical constituents of these particles have been designated as "Hazardous Air
Pollutants" under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Utility boilers are
exempt from regulation as sources of hazardous air pollutants until the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completes a study of the hazards to
public health reasonably anticipated to occur as a result of emissions by
electric generating units. In 1996, the EPA issued an interim final report
regarding the study. The report contains no conclusions concerning the need for
control of hazardous air pollutants from utility facilities.
In November 1996, the EPA proposed new ozone and particulate matter
standards. If the new standards are adopted, the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) will be required to develop an implementation
plan acceptable to the EPA. The Company cannot predict whether or in what form
new standards will be adopted. If the proposed ozone standard is adopted, the
Company does not expect that compliance with this standard would require
additional capital expenditures in excess of the approximately $150 million of
capital expenditures estimated to be required for compliance with the Clean Air
Act amendments of 1990. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Clean Air Act
Amendments" in Item 7. If the proposed particulate matter standard is adopted,
the Company expects that compliance with the new standard could require
additional capital expenditures, the amount of which could be material.
In March 1991, the DEC issued a notice of intent to prepare a draft
environmental impact statement (DEIS) concerning draft DEC regulations that
would establish standards of performance, effective beginning in the year 2000,
for steam electric generating units that are operated beyond their "useful
design life." The draft regulations define "useful design life" as 45 years from
the date of initial operation. All of the Company's steam electric generating
units in New York City would reach their "useful design lives" by 2014. The
draft regulations would impose operating efficiency requirements (heat rates)
that many of these units may not be able to meet, and stringent nitrogen oxides
and particulate matter emissions limitations. The DEC has not yet issued the
DEIS. The Company is unable to predict the final form of the regulations or
whether the DEC will ultimately adopt such regulations.
The New York City air pollution control code contains limitations on the
allowable sulfur content of fuels and on emissions of sulfur dioxide,
particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen and various trace elements. Certain
provisions of the code, specifically those pertaining to standards for emissions
of nitrogen oxides, may be impracticable to meet at some of the Company's
generating stations located in New York City unless variances or other relief
from such provisions are granted.
COOLING TOWERS. The Federal Clean Water Act provides for effluent
limitations, to be implemented by a permit system, to regulate the discharge of
pollutants, including heat, into United States waters. In 1981, the Company
entered into a settlement with the EPA and others that relieved the Company for
at least 10 years from a proposed regulatory agency requirement that, in effect,
would have required that cooling towers be installed at the Bowline Point,
Roseton and Indian Point units. In return the Company agreed to certain plant
modifications, operating restrictions and other measures and surrendered its
operating license for a proposed pumped-storage facility that would have used
Hudson River water.
<PAGE>
17
In September 1991, after the expiration of the 1981 settlement, three
environmental interest groups commenced litigation challenging the permit status
of the units pending renewal of their discharge permits, which expired in
October 1992. Under a consent order settling this litigation, certain
restrictions on the units' usage of Hudson River water have been imposed on an
interim basis. Permit renewal applications were filed in April 1992, after which
the DEC determined that the Company must submit a DEIS to provide a basis for
determining new permit conditions. The DEIS, submitted in July 1993, includes an
evaluation of the costs and environmental benefits of potential mitigation
alternatives, one of which is the installation of cooling towers. The Company
has been participating with the DEC and several environmental groups in
reviewing the initial DEIS. The review is expected to be completed in 1997,
after which a revised and updated DEIS will be prepared for public comment.
Pending issuance of final renewal permits, the terms and conditions of the
expired permits continue in effect.
ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS. Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) are found
wherever electricity is used. Several scientific studies have raised concerns
that EMF surrounding electric equipment and wires, including power lines, may
present health risks. In October 1996, the National Academy of Science issued a
report concluding that "the current body of evidence does not show that exposure
to [EMF] presents a human health hazard." For additional information about EMF,
see "Environmental Matters - EMF" in Note F to the financial statements in Item
8.
GENERAL
STATE ANTITAKEOVER LAW. New York State law provides that a "resident domestic
corporation," such as the Company, may not consummate a merger, consolidation or
similar transaction with the beneficial owner of a 20 percent or greater voting
stock interest in the corporation, or with an affiliate of the owner, for five
years after the acquisition of the voting stock interest, unless the transaction
or the acquisition of the voting stock interest was approved by the
corporation's board of directors prior to the acquisition of the voting stock
interest. After the expiration of the five-year period, the transaction may be
consummated only pursuant to a stringent "fair price" formula or with the
approval of a majority of the disinterested stockholders.
EMPLOYEES
The Company had 15,801 employees on December 31, 1996. For information
about the collective bargaining agreement covering about two-thirds of the
Company's employees, see "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Collective
Bargaining Agreement " in Item 7.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
For information about the Company's research and development costs, see
Note A to the financial statements in Item 8.
<PAGE>
18
<TABLE>
OPERATING STATISTICS
=======================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ELECTRIC Energy (MWhrs)
Generated (a) ........................ 17,823,778 18,436,798 20,419,828 20,079,995 24,157,503
Purchased from Others (a) ............ 26,178,042 26,700,594 21,036,437 19,813,654 14,360,373
Total Generated and Purchased ........ 44,001,820 45,137,392 41,456,265 39,893,649 38,517,876
Less: Supplied without direct charge . 71 71 73 74 75
Used by Company (b) ............ 164,206 165,934 134,940 183,903 173,834
Distribution losses and
other variances .......... 2,716,235 2,977,547 2,762,315 2,863,828 2,781,046
Net Generated and Purchased .......... 41,121,308 41,993,840 38,558,937 36,845,844 35,562,921
Electric Energy Sold:
Residential .................... 10,867,085 10,848,648 10,660,148 10,512,496 9,845,397
Commercial and Industrial ...... 25,725,502 25,492,489 25,511,974 25,118,125 24,680,600
Railroads and Railways ......... 47,004 47,482 47,289 49,542 50,934
Public Authorities ............. 564,363 569,749 554,753 560,836 542,358
Total Sales to Con Edison Customers 37,203,954 36,958,368 36,774,164 36,240,999 35,119,289
Off-System Sales (a) (c) ............. 3,917,354 5,035,472 1,784,773 604,845 443,632
Total Electric Energy Sold ........... 41,121,308 41,993,840 38,558,937 36,845,844 35,562,921
Total Sales to Con Edison Customers 37,203,954 36,958,368 36,774,164 36,240,999 35,119,289
Delivery Service to NYPA
Customers and Others ........... 8,816,873 8,855,790 8,773,155 8,441,624 8,187,292
Service for Municipal Agencies ....... 617,293 456,728 413,893 361,854 287,489
Total Sales in Franchise Area ........ 46,638,120 46,270,886 45,961,212 45,044,477 43,594,070
Average Annual kWhr Use Per
Residential Customer (d) ....... 4,184 4,188 4,136 4,104 3,872
Average Revenue Per kWhr Sold (cents):
Residential (d) ................ 16.5 16.1 15.8 16.0 15.0
Commercial and Industrial (d) .. 12.9 12.5 12.2 12.6 12.0
(a) For 1996 and 1995, amounts generated include 1,672,603 and 3,159,047 MWhrs,
respectively, generated for others, which is also included in off-system
sales. For 1996 and 1995, amounts purchased include 1,553,764 and 2,666,837
MWhrs, respectively, of such electric energy that was subsequently purchased
by the Company. See "Electric Operations Gas Conversions", above.
(b) For 1995, 1993 and 1992, electric energy used by the Company includes 436,
29,233 and 30,859 MWhrs, respectively, supplied to NYPA. For 1996 and 1994
electric energy used by the Company includes 544 and 21,275 MWhrs,
respectively, received from NYPA.
(c) For 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992, off-system sales include 2,825, 350, 2,142,
and 52,929 MWhrs, respectively, which were sold to NYPA and are also
included in the Delivery Service to NYPA. There were no such sales to NYPA
in 1996.
(d) Includes Municipal Agency sales.
<PAGE>
19
OPERATING STATISTICS
=======================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAS (Dth) (a)
Purchased (b) .......................... 219,439,813 217,268,986 208,328,267 214,719,241 221,181,200
Storage - net change ................... (4,032,224) 9,469,767 (4,410,363) 222,559 752,561
Used as boiler fuel at Electric
and Steam Stations (b) ........... (84,849,049) (110,761,124) (92,680,221) (108,153,436) (116,951,577)
Gas Purchased for Resale ............... 130,558,540 115,977,629 111,237,683 106,788,364 104,982,184
Less: Gas used by Company .............. 272,040 237,688 221,715 203,793 153,537
Off-System Sales & NYPA (c) ...... 11,023,023 4,887,971 -- -- --
Distribution losses
and other variances ......... 176,930 4,654,832 2,443,486 3,998,234 3,856,836
Total Sales to Con Edison Customers .... 119,086,547 106,197,138 108,572,482 102,586,337 100,971,811
Gas Sold (a)
Firm Sales:
Residential ...................... 56,590,018 51,702,329 53,981,416 52,624,331 52,626,406
General .......................... 42,190,091 39,021,997 39,365,003 37,214,994 36,656,433
Total Firm Sales ................. 98,780,109 90,724,326 93,346,419 89,839,325 89,282,839
Interruptible Sales .................... 20,306,438 15,472,812 15,226,063 12,747,012 11,688,972
Total Sales to Con Edison Customers .... 119,086,547 106,197,138 108,572,482 102,586,337 100,971,811
Transportation of Customer-Owned Gas:
NYPA ............................. 4,966,983 24,972,796 14,546,325 15,965,084 19,892,008
Other ............................ 5,011,124 5,388,393 3,823,176 4,926,565 5,556,433
Off-System Sales ....................... 11,293,425 3,376,375 -- -- --
Total Sales and Transportation ......... 140,358,079 139,934,702 126,941,983 123,477,986 126,420,252
Average Revenue Per Dth Sold (a):
Residential ...................... $10.00 $ 9.43 $ 9.85 $ 9.27 $ 8.41
General .......................... $ 7.15 $ 6.38 $ 7.05 $ 6.71 $ 6.03
STEAM Sold (Mlbs): ..................... 29,995,762 29,425,780 30,685,155 29,394,335 29,381,922
Average Revenue per Mlbs Sold .......... $13.34 $11.35 $11.10 $11.06 $10.63
CUSTOMERS - Average for Year
Electric ............................... 3,001,870 2,994,447 2,980,026 2,964,716 2,950,614
Gas .................................... 1,035,528 1,034,784 1,031,675 1,028,048 1,026,546
Steam .................................. 1,932 1,945 1,964 1,973 1,970
(a) Does not include amounts for the Company's gas marketing subsidiary. See
"Competitive Businesses and Competition," above.
(b) For 1996 and 1995, gas used as boiler fuel includes 16,739,188 and
31,706,551 Dth, respectively, provided by others. See "Electric Operations -
Gas Conversions," above.
(c) For 1996 and 1995, includes 173,388 and 1,305,730 Dth, respectively, for
balancing transactions with NYPA.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
20
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
At December 31, 1996, the capitalized cost of the Company's utility plant,
net of accumulated depreciation, (and excluding $101.5 million of nuclear fuel
assemblies) was as follows:
Net Capitalized Cost Percentage of
Classification (millions of dollars) Net Utility Plant
In Service:
Electric:
Generation .......... $ 1,696.1 15%
Transmission ........ 1,127.3 10%
Distribution ........ 5,237.7 48%
Gas ...................... 1,275.5 12%
Steam .................... 445.0 4%
Common ................... 837.1 8%
Held For Future Use ............ 14.8 --
Construction Work in Progress .. 332.3 3%
Net Utility Plant .............. $ 10,965.8 100%
ELECTRIC FACILITIES
GENERATING FACILITIES. As shown in the following table, at December 31,
1996, the Company's net maximum generating capacity (on a summer rating basis)
was 8,333 MW, without reduction to reflect the unavailability or reduced
capacity at any given time of particular units because of maintenance or repair
or their use to produce steam for sale. For information about the electric
energy purchased by the Company, see "Electric Operations" in Item 1. For
information about divestiture of the Company's generating capacity, see
"Liquidity and Capital Resources - PSC Settlement Agreement" in Item 7.
Generating Net Generating Capacity Percentage of Electric
Stations at December 31, 1996 Energy Generated and
(Megawatts-Summer Rating) Purchased in 1996*
Fossil-Fueled:
Ravenswood (3 Units) ...... 1,742 7.9%
Astoria (3 Units) ......... 1,075 7.1%
Arthur Kill (2 Units) ..... 826 1.6%
East River (2 Units) ...... 300 0.7%
Bowline Point (2 Units)
- two-thirds interest 808 1.3%
Roseton (2 Units)
- 40% interest ....... 480 1.4%
Other (4 Units) ........... 231 1.6%
Subtotal ............... 5,462 21.6%
Nuclear - Indian Point ....... 931 17.7%
Gas Turbines (39 Units) ...... 1,940 1.1%
Total .................. 8,333 40.4%
* Includes electricity generated for others. See "Electric Operations - Gas
Conversions" in Item 1.
<PAGE>
21
The Company's generating stations are located in New York City with the
exception of the Indian Point nuclear station in Westchester County, New York;
the Bowline Point station in Rockland County, New York; and the Roseton station
in Orange County, New York.
The Company's fossil-fueled plants burn natural gas or residual oil. Most
of the gas turbines burn distillate oil. Certain units have the capability to
burn either natural gas or oil, and certain units can be converted to burn coal.
See "Fuel Supply" in Item 1.
For information about the Company's Indian Point 2 nuclear unit, see
"Electric Operations", "Fuel Supply - Nuclear Fuel", "Environmental Matters and
Related Legal Proceedings - Indian Point and Cooling Towers" in Item 1,
"Liquidity and Capital Resources - Capital Requirements" in Item 7 and Notes
A and F to the financial statements in Item 8.
The Company's electric and steam generating stations are held in fee with
the following exceptions: (i) Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) has a
one-third interest and the Company has a two-thirds interest as tenants in
common in the Bowline Point station, which is operated by O&R; (ii) Central
Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation (Central Hudson) has a 35 percent interest,
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (Niagara Mohawk) has a 25 percent interest and
the Company has a 40 percent interest as tenants in common in the Roseton
station (which is operated by Central Hudson), with Central Hudson having the
right to acquire the Company's interest in 2004; and (iii) the Company leases
from trusts in which it owns the remainder interests certain gas turbine
generating facilities of which the Company can assume direct ownership upon
expiration of the leases in 1997.
TRANSMISSION FACILITIES. The Company has transmission interconnections
with Niagara Mohawk, Central Hudson, O&R, New York State Electric and Gas
Corporation, Connecticut Light and Power Company, Long Island Lighting Company,
NYPA and Public Service Electric and Gas Company. The Company's transmission
facilities are located in New York City and Westchester, Orange, Rockland,
Putnam and Dutchess counties in New York State.
At December 31, 1996, the Company's transmission system had approximately
432 miles of overhead circuits operating at 138, 230, 345 and 500 kilovolts and
approximately 378 miles of underground circuits operating at 138 and 345
kilovolts. There are approximately 267 miles of radial subtransmission circuits
operating at 138 kilovolts. The Company's 15 transmission substations, supplied
by circuits operated at 69 kilovolts and above, have a total transformer
capacity of 15,632 megavolt amperes.
At December 31, 1996, the transmission capacity to receive power from
outside New York City to supply in-City load during the summer peak period was
4,915 MW. The 1996 one-hour peak load in the Company's service area was 9,788
MW, of which 8,575 MW was for use within the City. The record one-hour peak load
in the Company's service area, which occurred in August 1995, was 10,805 MW, of
which 9,476 MW was for use within the City. See "Electric Operations - Electric
Peak Load and Capacity" in Item 1. In-City load in excess of transmission
capacity must be supplied by in-City generating stations. See "Generating
Facilities", above.
<PAGE>
22
DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES. The Company owns various distribution substations
and facilities located throughout New York City and Westchester County. At
December 31, 1996, the Company's distribution system had 294 distribution
substations, with a transformer capacity of 20,065 megavolt amperes, 32,307
miles of overhead distribution lines and 87,001 miles of underground
distribution lines.
GAS FACILITIES
Natural gas is delivered by pipeline to the Company at various points in
its service territory and is distributed to customers by the Company through
approximately 4,200 miles of mains and 360,700 service lines. The Company owns a
natural gas liquefaction facility and storage tank at its Astoria property in
Queens, New York. The plant can store approximately 1,000 mdth of which a
maximum of about 250 mdth can be withdrawn per day. The Company has about 1,230
mdth of additional natural gas storage capacity at a field in upstate New York,
owned and operated by Honeoye Storage Corporation, a corporation 23 1/3 percent
owned by the Company.
STEAM FACILITIES
The Company generates steam for distribution at five electric generating
stations and two steam-only generating stations and distributes steam to
customers through approximately 87 miles of mains and 17 miles of service lines.
OTHER FACILITIES
The Company also owns or leases various pipelines, fuel storage
facilities, office equipment, a thermal outfall structure at Indian Point, and
other properties located primarily in New York City and Westchester, Orange,
Rockland, Putnam and Dutchess counties in New York State.
<PAGE>
23
ITEM 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
SUPERFUND
The following is a discussion of significant proceedings pending under
Superfund or similar statutes involving sites for which the Company has been
asserted to have a liability. The list is not exhaustive and additional
proceedings may arise in the future. For a further discussion of claims and
possible claims against the Company under the Federal Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund) and
the estimated liability accrued for certain Superfund claims, see "Environmental
Matters and Related Legal Proceedings - Superfund" in Item 1, and "Environmental
Matters - Superfund" in Note F to the financial statements in Item 8.
MAXEY FLATS NUCLEAR DISPOSAL SITE. The United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) advised the Company by letter, dated November 26, 1986,
that it was a potentially responsible party (PRP) under Superfund for the
investigation and cleanup of the Maxey Flats Nuclear Disposal Site in Morehead,
Kentucky. The site is owned by the State of Kentucky and was operated as a
disposal facility for low level radioactive waste from 1963 through 1977 by the
Nuclear Engineering Corporation (now known as U.S. Ecology Corporation). EPA's
letter alleges that various radionuclides and organic chemicals have been
released from the site into the environment. In September 1991, the EPA issued
its Record of Decision ("ROD") for the site cleanup program. Phase one of the
program requires, among other things, the removal, treatment and on-site
disposal of the contaminated leachate that has accumulated in the site's waste
burial trenches, the installation of an impervious cover over the waste burial
trench area of the site, and the construction of a trench/leachate groundwater
monitoring system, erosion controls and storm water drainage systems in that
area. Phase two requires a 100-year stabilization period, with periodic
monitoring and maintenance of the cover, followed by installation of a permanent
cap.
In March 1995, the EPA, de minimis PRPs, large private party PRPs
(including the Company), large federal agency PRPs and Kentucky entered into
consent decrees with respect to the funding and implementation of the cleanup
program. Under the consent decrees, which in April 1996 were approved by the
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the large
private party PRPs will implement phase one of the program and any corrective
actions required during the first 10 years following completion of phase one to
meet the performance standards established in the ROD, and share the costs of
those activities with the large federal agency PRPs. Also, if during this
ten-year period the EPA determines that horizontal flow barriers are required,
the large private party PRPs will construct the barriers and share the cost of
that work with the large federal agency PRPs and Kentucky. The large private
party PRPs are not responsible for any costs after the ten-year period expires.
Kentucky will implement and fund the phase two program. The Company's share of
the cleanup costs is estimated to be about $500,000. In addition, if horizontal
flow barriers are required during the ten-year period following completion of
the phase one program, the Company would be obligated to pay an estimated
$10,000 to $100,000 depending on the size and the number of the barriers
required by the EPA.
<PAGE>
24
CURCIO SCRAP METAL SITE. The EPA advised the Company, in a letter received
on August 11, 1987, that it had documented the release of hazardous substances
into the environment at the site of Curcio Scrap Metal, Inc. in Saddle Brook,
New Jersey, and that the EPA had information indicating that the Company sent
hazardous substances (PCBs) to the site. The Company provided the EPA with
records that indicated that the Company sold scrap electric transformers to a
metal broker who in turn sold them to the owner of the site. A site study
indicated that chemical contamination had occurred on a portion of the site.
Elevated concentrations of PCBs and various organic compounds and metals were
detected in the soil and PCBs, organic compounds and various metals were also
detected in the shallow groundwater beneath the site.
On September 30, 1991, the EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order
which required the Company and three other PRPs to commence a soil cleanup of
this site pursuant to the EPA's Record of Decision, dated June 28, 1991. This
soil cleanup has been completed. The EPA has required additional groundwater
studies to determine whether the soil cleanup reduced or eliminated the
groundwater contamination detected during the site study referred to above. The
Company's estimate of the cost of the additional groundwater studies, which are
in progress, is $400,000. The EPA has only designated five PRPs for this site
and, as a result, the Company will be expected to pay a major share of the
cleanup costs.
METAL BANK OF AMERICA SITES. The EPA advised the Company by letter dated
October 26, 1987 that it had reason to believe that the Company was a supplier
of scrap transformers to Metal Bank of America Inc.'s recycling sites in
Philadelphia during the late 1960s and thereafter. One of the sites was placed
on the EPA's national priority list under Superfund in 1983 as a result of a
suspected leak in a storage tank containing PCBs. The EPA alleged that PCBs had
been found in the soil and groundwater at the site and in the sediment from
areas of a tidal mudflat and the Delaware River along the site's shoreline. The
Company provided the EPA with documents which indicate that the Company sold
approximately 80 scrap transformers to a broker who, in turn, delivered them to
the site and that the Company sold an additional 46 scrap transformers to Metal
Bank (which may have salvaged them at the site). Under a steering committee (PRP
Group) participation agreement, the Company is responsible for 1.48% of the
expense of the remedial investigation and feasibility study, which has been
completed under an EPA administrative consent order. The Company's share of the
cost of the study was about $80,000. In July 1995, EPA issued its proposed site
cleanup plan for public comment. EPA's proposed plan calls for, among other
things, the removal and disposal of PCBs and polynuclear aromatic
hydrocarbon-contaminated sediments in the areas of the tidal mudflat and the
Delaware River along the site's shoreline, the construction of a sheet pile wall
along the site's shoreline, the removal and off-site disposal of soil in the
southern portion of the site that contains 25 parts per million (ppm) or more of
PCBs and/or 10,000 ppm or more of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and the
removal and off-site disposal of soil that contains more than 10 ppm of PCBs in
the northern portion of the site. Although EPA estimated the cost of its plan at
about $17.2 million, the PRP Group believes that the plan could cost as much as
$28.8 million to implement and has requested EPA to reconsider various aspects
of the plan.
<PAGE>
25
NARROWSBURG SITE. In 1987, the New York State Attorney General notified
the Company that he had evidence that the Company is a PRP under Superfund for
hazardous substances that have been released at the Cortese landfill in
Narrowsburg, Sullivan County, New York. The Cortese landfill is listed on the
EPA's Superfund National Priorities List. Company records indicate that drums
containing waste oil were shipped from its Indian Point nuclear station to the
Cortese landfill for disposal. Before notifying the Company, the Attorney
General commenced an action under Superfund in the United States District Court
for the Southern District of New York against the Cortese site owner and
operator and SCA Services, an alleged transporter of hazardous substances to the
site. On January 17, 1989, SCA Services commenced a third-party action for
contribution against the Company and five other parties whose chemical waste was
allegedly disposed of at the site. In 1990, SCA served a second amended
third-party complaint in which it sued the Company and 27 other third-party
defendants for contribution. The Company and SCA Services have reached a
settlement of the third-party action under which the Company paid $114,485
toward the cost of the site environmental studies conducted by SCA and agreed to
pay 6 percent of the first $25 million of remedial costs at the site. SCA
Services has agreed to indemnify the Company for any other remedial costs and
natural resource damages that it has to pay. The EPA has selected a cleanup
program for the site that is estimated to cost $12 million. SCA, the Company and
various other third-party defendants with which SCA settled entered into a
consent decree under which they agree to implement the cleanup program, to pay
the EPA's oversight costs for the site and to pay approximately $220,000 for
natural resource damages. The consent decree has been approved by the United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Cleanup work at the
site is now in progress.
CARLSTADT SITE. On August 20, 1990, the Company was served with a
third-party complaint in a Superfund cost contribution action for a former waste
solvent and oil recycling facility located in Carlstadt, New Jersey. The
complaint, which is pending before the United States District Court for the
District of New Jersey, alleges that the Company shipped 120,000 gallons of
waste oil to this site and that the Company is one of several hundred parties
who are responsible under Superfund for the study and cleanup of the facility.
The plaintiffs in the action, which include a group of former customers of the
facility, have completed a $3 million remedial investigation and feasibility
study for the site. Plaintiffs estimate that 7 to 15 million gallons of waste
solvents and oil were recycled at the site and based on this estimate, the
Company's share of the cleanup costs would be about 0.8 to 1.7 percent. The
costs of the cleanup alternatives that were evaluated in the remedial
investigation and feasibility study range from $8 million to $321 million. In
1990, the EPA selected an interim remedy to control releases from the site while
the EPA evaluates and develops a final cleanup remedy. The interim remedy called
for, among other things, the construction of a slurry wall around the site and
an infiltration barrier over the site. EPA estimated that the interim remedy
would cost about $3 million to implement. Plaintiffs claim that the interim
remedy, which has been completed, cost $10 million.
<PAGE>
26
HELEN KRAMER LANDFILL SITE. In September 1991, Orange and Rockland
Utilities, Inc. (O&R) was served with a third-party complaint in a Superfund
cost recovery contribution action for the Helen Kramer Landfill Site in Mantau,
New Jersey. The third-party plaintiffs are site PRPs that were sued for site
cleanup costs by the State of New Jersey. The complaint, which is pending before
the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleges that,
in 1974, Marvin Jonas, Inc. transported hazardous substances for O&R and
disposed of those substances in the Helen Kramer Landfill. Preliminary
investigation by O&R indicates that waste materials generated during the
construction of the Bowline Point generating station were hauled and disposed of
by Marvin Jonas, Inc. in 1974. The Company owns a two-thirds interest in Bowline
Point. O&R, which operates Bowline Point, owns the remaining one-third interest.
Bowline Point liabilities are shared by the Company and O&R in accordance with
their respective ownership interests. The EPA has commenced cleanup of this site
and the total site cleanup cost is estimated at $150 million. The third-party
plaintiffs have offered to settle with O&R and other third-party defendants. If
the settlement is approved by the district court, O&R would pay $15,000 to a
site trust fund and the third-party plaintiffs would dismiss their action
against O&R and indemnify O&R from claims for site cleanup costs by other
parties.
GLOBAL LANDFILL SITE. The Company has been designated a PRP under
Superfund and the New Jersey Spill Compensation and Control Act (Spill Act) for
the study and cleanup of the Global Landfill Site in Old Bridge, New Jersey.
This 57.5-acre municipal and industrial waste landfill is included on the
Superfund National Priorities List and is being administered by the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection and Energy (NJDEPE) pursuant to an
agreement between the EPA and the State of New Jersey.
The Company provided EPA with records indicating that it had disposed of
approximately ten cubic yards of waste asbestos at the site in February 1984. In
August 1989, the NJDEPE served the Company with a Spill Act directive that
required the Company and 40 other designated site PRPs to fund a $1.5 million
remedial investigation and feasibility study for the site. The Company joined
the PRP Group formed for the site and the Group entered into a settlement
agreement and an administrative consent order with NJDEPE that, among other
things, required the PRP Group's members to contribute $500,000 towards the cost
of the study. The Company's share of the PRP Group's payment to the NJDEPE was
$5,000.
In February 1991, the EPA and the NJDEPE proposed a $30 million interim
remedy for the site. This remedy calls for the installation of gas and leachate
collection and treatment systems at the landfill and the construction of an
impervious cover over the landfill (Phase I). It also calls for further studies
to determine the alternatives for addressing groundwater and wetlands
contamination in the vicinity of the landfill (Phase II). In March 1991, the
NJDEPE served the Company with a second Spill Act Directive that required the
Company and the other site PRPs to pay for the implementation of the Phase I
remedy for the site. The PRP Group entered into a consent decree with the NJDEPE
under which they agreed to implement the Phase I remedy with partial funding to
be provided by the NJDEPE. The Company's share of the cost is estimated at
$150,000.
<PAGE>
27
CHEMSOL SITE. By letter dated December 20, 1991, the EPA advised the
Company that it had documented the release of hazardous substances at the
Chemsol Site in Piscataway, New Jersey and that it had reason to believe that
the Company sent waste materials to the site during the 1960 to 1965 period. In
response to EPA's demand for records, including any relating to Cenco
Instruments Corp., the Company submitted to EPA records of payments to Central
Scientific Company, a Division of Cenco Instruments Corp. during the 1960-1965
period. The Company is unable at this time to determine either the purpose of
the payments to Central Scientific Company or the connection of that company to
the site. The EPA has not designated the Company as a PRP and has not yet
selected a final cleanup program for the site. However, the EPA has selected an
interim remedy, expected to cost about $8 million, for the site groundwater
contamination and has ordered several designated PRPs to implement that remedy.
ECHO AVENUE SITE. In December 1987, the DEC classified the Company's
former Echo Avenue Substation Site in New Rochelle, New York as an "Inactive
Hazardous Waste Disposal Site." The basis for this classification was the
presence of PCBs in the soil and in the buildings on the site. Although the
Company has cleaned up the PCBs on the site, the DEC requires a thorough site
survey before it will remove the site from the Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal
Site list. Under a consent order with the DEC, a new site survey was done and
remedial action taken. The cost to the Company of this additional work was
$213,000. The Company demolished its building on this site, and expects to incur
approximately $1 million in additional cleanup expenses.
In January 1992, the owners of Echo Bay Marina filed suit in Federal court
alleging that PCBs were being discharged from the Echo Avenue site into Long
Island Sound. Plaintiffs sought $24 million for personal injuries and property
damages, a declaration that the Company is in violation of the Clean Water Act,
civil penalties of $25,000 per day for each violation, remediation costs, an
injunction against further discharges and legal fees. In December 1994, the
court dismissed plaintiffs claims for property damage, including loss of
business. Pretrial discovery on the remaining claims is continuing. In October
1996, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the personal injury claims.
PCB TREATMENT, INC., SITES. On September 30, 1994, the Company received a
letter from the EPA indicating that it had been identified as a PRP for the PCB
Treatment, Inc. (PTI) Sites in Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri.
The sites -- a vacant, five-story building and a partially-occupied, seven-story
building -- were used by PTI from 1982 until 1987 for the storage, processing,
and treatment of PCB-containing electric equipment, dielectric oils, and
materials. According to the EPA, the buildings' floor slabs and ceilings and the
soil areas outside the buildings' loading docks are contaminated with PCBs.
The EPA has developed a preliminary list indicating that approximately
16.9 million pounds of PCB-contaminated oil, equipment and materials were
shipped to the sites. The Company has informed the EPA that it shipped
approximately 2.8 million pounds of waste to the sites. The EPA has identified
over 700 parties that shipped waste to the sites, including federal agencies
which, based on responses to the EPA's information request, appear to be
responsible for approximately 7 million pounds of the waste.
EPA is continuing to search for additional PRPs.
<PAGE>
28
In September 1996, the Company joined a PRP steering committee that is
conducting studies at the sites under an EPA consent order and negotiating a
cost sharing agreement with federal agency PRPs. Based on preliminary
information, the Company currently believes that its share of the study and
remediation costs could exceed $5 million.
PELHAM MANOR SITE. Prior to 1968, the Company and its predecessor
companies operated a manufactured gas plant on a site located in Pelham Manor,
Westchester County, which is now used for a shopping center. Soil and
groundwater tests by the current owners and lessees indicate the presence of
hazardous substances which are associated with the manufactured gas process. The
Company has agreed to participate with the site owners and lessees in further
site studies to develop and implement a cleanup plan that will be acceptable to
the DEC. The site lessee and the DEC are negotiating the scope of the site
studies, which will be funded in major part by the Company.
ASTORIA SITE. The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act delegates
to the states licensing authority for PCB storage. As a condition to renewal by
the DEC of the Company's permit to store PCBs at the Company's Astoria
generating station in Queens, New York, the Company is required to conduct a
site investigation and, where necessary, a remediation program. The site
investigation commenced in April 1994 and is scheduled to be completed in late
1997. The cost of the investigation is estimated at approximately $5 million. A
portion of the investigation has been completed and reports thereon, indicating
PCB-contamination of portions of the site, have been submitted to the DEC and
the New York State Department of Health for the determination of the remediation
action that may be required. Depending on the remediation required, the costs of
remediation could be material.
HUNTS POINT SITE. In September 1994, the City of New York notified the
Company that it had discovered coal tar on the site of a former Company
manufactured gas plant in the Hunts Point section of The Bronx. The Company had
manufactured gas at that location prior to its sale of the site to the City in
the 1960s. The Company has agreed to conduct a site study and to develop and
implement a remediation program. However, the Company has not agreed to pay
costs not associated with the Company's use of the site. The Company is unable
at this time to estimate its exposure to liability with respect to this site.
ANCHOR MOTOR SITE. In November 1995, Anchor Motor Freight, Inc. notified
the Company that it had discovered coal tar on its site in Westchester County.
Anchor requested that the Company remediate the site. A predecessor of the
Company had operated a manufactured gas plant at that location prior to the
1940's. The Company has conducted preliminary sampling at the site and found
coal tar beneath the areas formerly occupied by the manufactured gas plant.
Material closely resembling the coal tar at the site has also been found in the
Hudson River along the bulkhead of an asphalt plant located between the site and
the river and beneath portions of the asphalt plant property. The Company has
assumed responsibility for maintaining a boom in the river around the area of
bulkhead and will develop a cleanup program for the coal tar contamination under
an agreement with the DEC. The cost of the cleanup program could exceed $8
million if the DEC requires the Company to excavate all of the coal tar present
on the site.
<PAGE>
29
PORT REFINERY SITE. The EPA notified the Company by letter, dated October
21, 1996, that it is a PRP for the Port Refinery Superfund Site in Rye Brook,
NY. According to the EPA, Port Refinery Company used the site for the
reprocessing and repackaging of mercury and caused extensive contamination which
the EPA has cleaned up at a cost of approximately $4.5 million. In its letter,
the EPA demands reimbursement of its costs from the Company and the 58 other
site PRPs that the EPA has identified. Based on the documents provided by the
EPA, it appears that the Company shipped 60 pounds of mercury to Port Refinery.
In January 1997, the Company entered into a consent decree under which it agreed
to pay approximately $2,000 as its share of the EPA's costs. The consent decree
will not become effective until it is published for public comment and approved
by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT
In November 1994, BCF Oil Refining, Inc., a processor and refiner of used
oil products and waste containing oil, brought suit in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company and
four transporters of waste oil products alleging that the defendants (primarily
the Company) caused PCB contaminated waste to be shipped to BCF thereby
contaminating its facilities. In addition to the remediation of BCF's facilities
under the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, the suit sought compensatory
damages of not less than $12.5 million from all the defendants and additional
punitive damages of not less than $12.5 million from the Company. In February
1997, the court dismissed 24 of BCF's 25 claims and the Company filed a motion
asking the court to dismiss the remaining claim. This suit is entitled BCF Oil
Refining, Inc. v. Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., et. al.
GRAMERCY PARK
On August 19, 1989, a Company steam main exploded in the Gramercy Park
area of Manhattan, releasing debris containing asbestos into that area. The
Company took responsibility for the asbestos cleanup and most of the cost of
that cleanup was covered by the Company's insurance. In April 1995, the Company
was sentenced to a fine of $500,000 and to three years probation for criminal
acts relating to the reporting of the release of asbestos from the steam main
explosion. During the probation period, the Company's compliance with
environmental laws is being monitored by a court-appointed monitor.
DEC PROCEEDING
For information about this proceeding, see "Environmental Matters - DEC
Settlement" in Note F to the financial statements in Item 8 and "Results of
Operations - Other Operations and Maintenance Expenses" in Item 7.
<PAGE>
30
ASBESTOS LITIGATION
For a discussion of asbestos and suits against the Company involving
asbestos, see "Environmental Matters and Related Legal Proceedings - Asbestos"
in Item 1, and "Environmental Matters - Asbestos Claims" in Note F to the
financial statements in Item 8. The following is a discussion of the significant
suits involving asbestos in which the Company has been named a defendant. The
listing is not exhaustive and additional suits may arise in the future.
MASS TORT CASES. Numerous suits have been brought in New York State and
Federal courts against the Company and many other defendants for death and
injuries allegedly caused by exposure to asbestos at various Company premises.
Many of these suits have been disposed of without any payment by the Company, or
for immaterial amounts. The amounts specified in the remaining suits, including
the Moran v. Vacarro suit discussed below, total billions of dollars, but the
Company believes that these amounts are greatly exaggerated, as were the claims
already disposed of.
MORAN, ET AL. V. VACARRO, ET AL. On May 9, 1988, the Company was served
with a complaint in an action in the New York State Supreme Court, New York
County, in which approximately 184 Company employees and their union alleged
that the employees were exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos as a result of
alleged intentional conduct of supervisory employees. Each of the employee
plaintiffs seeks $1 million in punitive damages, unspecified additional
compensatory damages, and to enjoin the Company from violating EPA regulations
and exposing employees to asbestos without first taking certain safety measures.
On May 16, 1988, the complaint was amended to add a claim by each employee
plaintiff for $1 million in damages for mental distress. In November 1988, the
complaint was amended to add four additional employee plaintiffs. On July 9,
1990, the complaint was amended to add the spouses of 131 plaintiffs as
additional plaintiffs and to remove the union as a plaintiff. Each spouse seeks
medical monitoring, $1 million for emotional distress and $1 million for
punitive damages. On January 19, 1995, the court dismissed the claims of the
employee plaintiffs, leaving employee spouses as the only plaintiffs.
RATE PROCEEDINGS
For information concerning proceedings relating to the Company's rates,
see "Regulation and Rates" in Item 1.
NUCLEAR FUEL DISPOSAL
Reference is made to the information under the caption "Liquidity and
Capital Resources - Nuclear Fuel Disposal" in Item 7 for information concerning
a joint petition for review brought by the Company and a number of other
utilities against the United States Department of Energy. The suit is entitled
Northern States Power Co., et al. v. Department of Energy, et al.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
<PAGE>
31
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The names of the executive officers of the Company together with their
ages and the positions and offices with the Company held by them as of March 1,
1997, the respective dates they became executive officers and their business
experience during the past five years (or since they became executive officers,
if earlier) are set forth below. Under the Company's By-laws, officers of the
Company are elected to hold office until the next election of Trustees
(directors) of the Company and until their respective successors are chosen and
qualify, subject to removal at any time by the Company's Board of Trustees.
Name, Age, Positions and Offices Business Experience During the Past Five
with the Company and Date First Years or Since Becoming an Executive
Became an Executive Officer Officer, If Longer
Eugene R. McGrath - 55 9/90 to present - Chairman of the Board,
Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and
President, Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, 2/89 to 8/90 - President, Chief Operating
and Trustee; Officer and Trustee
9/1/78 10/87 to 1/89 - Executive Vice President
Operations and Trustee
9/82 to 9/87 - Executive Vice President -
Central Operations
3/81 to 8/82 - Senior Vice President -
Power Generation
9/78 to 2/81 - Vice President -
Power Generation
J. Michael Evans - 51 7/95 to present - Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President - - Customer Service
Customer Service; 4/95 to 6/95 - Executive Vice President
9/1/91 9/91 to 3/95 - Executive Vice President -
Central Operations
Charles F. Soutar - 60 7/95 to present - Executive Vice President -
Executive Vice President - Central Services
Central Services; 2/89 to 6/95 - Executive Vice President -
9/1/77 Customer Service
3/85 to 1/89 - Executive Vice President
Central Services
5/80 to 2/85 - Senior Vice President -
Construction, Engineering and
Environmental Affairs
9/77 to 4/80 - Vice President -
Central Services
Stephen B. Bram - 54 4/95 to present - Senior Vice President -
Senior Vice President - Central Operations
Central Operations; 12/94 to 3/95 - Senior Vice President
8/1/79 9/94 to 11/94 - Vice President
12/87 to 8/94 - Vice President - Nuclear Power
9/82 to 11/87 - Vice President- Fossil Power
7/80 to 8/82 - Vice President - Central
Substation, System Operations and
Technical Services
8/79 to 6/80 - Vice President- Central
Substation and System Operations
<PAGE>
32
Name, Age, Positions and Offices Business Experience During the Past Five
with the Company and Date First Years or Since Becoming an Executive
Became an Executive Officer Officer, If Longer
Joan S. Freilich - 55 7/96 to present - Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President and Chief and Chief Financial Officer
Financial Officer; 9/94 to 6/96 - Vice President, Controller
12/1/90 and Chief Accounting Officer
7/92 to 8/94 - Vice President and
Controller
12/90 to 6/92 - Vice President - Corporate
Planning
Mary Jane McCartney - 48 10/93 to present - Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President - Gas Gas Operations
Operations; 2/93 to 10/93 - Vice President -
12/1/90 Gas Supply
7/92 to 1/93 - Vice President - Gas
Business Development
12/90 to 6/92 - Vice President - Queens
Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. - 59 1/96 to present - Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President and and General Counsel
General Counsel; 4/87 to 12/95 - Vice President and
1/1/96 Associate General Counsel, ITT
Corporation
Horace S. Webb - 56 9/92 to present - Senior Vice President -
Senior Vice President - Public Affairs
Public Affairs; 1/90 to 8/92 - Vice President -
9/1/92 Communications and Public Affairs,
Hoechst Celanese Corp.
Archie M. Bankston - 59 6/89 to present - Secretary and Associate
Secretary and Associate General General Counsel
Counsel; 1/74 to 5/89 - Secretary and Assistant
1/7/74 General Counsel
Hyman Schoenblum - 48 3/97 to present - Vice President and
Vice President and Treasurer; Treasurer
3/1/97 6/96 to 2/97 - Director - Financial
Restructuring
11/93 to 5/96 - Director - Corporate
Planning
7/81 to 10/93 - Assistant Controller
Lawrence F. Travaglia - 58 3/93 to present - General Auditor
General Auditor; 3/1/93 10/80 to 2/93 - Assistant Treasurer
John A. Arceri - 54 6/95 to present - Vice President - Energy
Vice President - Energy Services
Services; 10/93 to 5/95 - Assistant Vice President -
6/1/95 Gas Business Development
3/90 to 9/93 - Assistant Vice President -
Electrical Distribution
Robert A. Bell - 63 6/81 to present - Vice President -
Vice President Research & Research & Development
Development;
6/1/81
<PAGE>
33
Name, Age, Positions and Offices Business Experience During the Past Five
with the Company and Date First Years or Since Becoming an Executive
Became an Executive Officer Officer, If Longer
Kevin Burke - 46 3/93 to present - Vice President -
Vice President - Corporate Corporate Planning
Planning; 3/90 to 2/93 - Vice President - Brooklyn
12/1/87 Customer Service
12/87 to 2/90 - Vice President -
Construction
John F. Cioffi - 63 3/97 to present - Vice President and
Vice President and Controller; Controller
7/1/92 10/96 to 2/97 - Vice President, Treasurer
& Controller
7/96 to 9/96 - Vice President & Controller
7/92 to 6/96 - Treasurer
6/87 to 6/92 - Assistant Vice President
V.Richard Conforti - 58 8/96 to present - Vice President
Vice President - Transportation Transportation & Stores
& Stores; 7/92 to 7/96 - Assistant Vice President -
8/1/96 Gas Operations
4/91 to 6/92 - General Manager- Gas
Operations - Manhattan
Richard P. Cowie - 50 3/94 to present - Vice President -
Vice President - Employee Employee Relations
Relations; 2/91 to 2/94 - Director - Central Customer
3/1/94 Service
Charles J. Durkin, Jr. - 53 12/93 to present - Vice President - Fossil
Vice President - Fossil Power; Power
9/1/82 1/88 to 12/93 - Vice President -
Engineering
9/82 to 12/87 - Vice President - System
and Transmission Operations
Robert F. Crane - 60 1/97 to present - Vice President - Gas
Vice President - Gas Operations Operations
12/1/82 3/94 to 1/97 - Vice President -
Fuel Supply
10/93 to 2/94 - Vice President -
Gas Supply
2/93 to 10/93 - Vice President - Gas
Business Development
4/91 to 1/93 - Vice President -
Gas Supply
12/84 to 3/91 - Vice President- Manhattan
Division
12/82 to 11/84 - Vice President -
Queens Division
Vincent J. D'Amelio - 55 2/97 to present - Vice President - Staten
Vice President - Staten Island Island Customer Service
Customer Service; 4/88 to 1/97 - Director - Customer Service
2/1/97 Sprint Communications Company
George J. Delaney - 61 2/96 to present - Vice President - Central
Vice President - Central Services
Services; 12/78 to 2/96 - Vice President -
5/28/74 Westchester Customer Service
9/74 to 11/78 - Vice President - Bronx
Division
5/74 to 8/74 - Vice President - Staten
Island Division
<PAGE>
34
Name, Age, Positions and Offices Business Experience During the Past Five
with the Company and Date First Years or Since Becoming an Executive
Became an Executive Officer Officer, If Longer
Robert W. Donohue, Jr. - 54 2/94 to present - Vice President -
Vice President Queens Customer Service;
- Queens Customer Service; 3/90 to 1/94 - Vice President -
3/1/90 Construction
Jacob Feinstein - 53 4/91 to present - Vice President
Vice President - System - System & Transmission Operations
Transmission Operations;
4/1/91
David F. Gedris - 48 2/96 to present - Vice President -
Vice President Westchester Customer Service
- Westchester Customer Service 2/94 to 1/96 - Vice President - Mantenance
2/1/94 and Construction
7/92 to 1/94 - Assistant Vice President -
Power Generation Maintenance
3/90 to 6/92 - Assistant Vice President -
Steam Operations
Garrett W. Groscup - 56 6/95 to present - Vice President - Brooklyn
Vice President Customer Service
- Brooklyn Customer Service; 2/94 to 5/95 - Vice President - Energy
12/1/82 Services
4/91 to 1/94 - Vice President - Manhattan
Customer Service
1/88 to 3/91 - Vice President - System &
Transmission Operations
12/82 to 12/87 - Vice President - Engineering
William A. Harkins - 51 2/97 to present - Vice President - Energy
Vice President Management
- Energy Management; 2/89 to 1/97 - Vice President - Planning and
2/1/89 Inter-Utility Affairs
Paul H. Kinkel - 52 2/96 to present - Vice President
Vice President- Maintenance and Construction
Maintenance and Construction; 12/93 to 2/96 - Vice President- Engineering
5/24/83 12/87 to 12/93 - Vice President - Fossil
Power
5/83 to 11/87 - Vice President - Construction
M. Peter Lanahan - 52 8/96 to present - Vice President -
Vice President Environment, Health and Safety
- Environment, Health 5/95 to 8/96 - Vice President - Environmental
and Safety; Affairs
5/1/95 1/91 to 4/95 - Manager, General Electric
Company
<PAGE>
35
Name, Age, Positions and Offices Business Experience During the Past Five
with the Company and Date First Years or Since Becoming an Executive
Became an Executive Officer Officer, If Longer
Richard J. Morgan - 61 12/96 to present - Vice President - Steam
Vice President - Steam Operations
Operations; 7/92 to 11/96 - Assistant Vice President -
12/1/96 Steam Operations
John A. Nutant - 61 2/94 to present - Vice President - Manhattan
Vice President - Manhattan Customer Service;
Customer Service; 7/92 to 1/94 - Vice President - Queens
5/27/80 Customer Service
9/86 - 6/92 - Vice President - Purchasing
7/80 to 8/86 - Vice President -
Environmental Affairs
5/80 to 6/80 - Vice President
James P. O'Brien - 49 3/94 to present - Vice President
Vice President - Information - Information Resources
Resources; 6/89 to 2/94 - Assistant Vice President -
3/1/94 - Employee Relations
Stephen E. Quinn - 50 9/94 to present - Vice President - Nuclear
Vice President - Nuclear Power; Power
9/1/94 8/88 to 8/94 - General Manager - Nuclear
Power Generation
Edwin W. Scott - 58 6/89 to present - Vice President and Deputy
Vice President and Deputy General Counsel
General Counsel;
6/1/89
Minto L. Soares - 60 6/91 to present - Vice President - Bronx
Vice President - Bronx Customer Service
Customer Service;
6/1/91
Alfred R. Wassler - 52 8/96 to present - Vice President -
Vice President - Purchasing; Purchasing
8/15/80 3/94 to 8/96 - Vice President -
Purchasing, Transportation and Stores
7/92 to 2/94 - Vice President - Purchasing
8/80 to 6/92 - Treasurer
<PAGE>
36
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's Common Stock ($2.50 par value) is the only class of common
equity of the Company. The Common Stock is traded on the New York, Chicago and
Pacific Stock Exchanges.
MARKET PRICE RANGE IN CONSOLIDATED REPORTING SYSTEM AND DIVIDENDS PAID ON
COMMON STOCK
1996 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends Dividends
High Low Paid High Low Paid
1st Quarter $34-3/4 $30-7/8 $.52 $28-7/8 $25-1/2 $.51
2nd Quarter 32-3/8 27-3/8 .52 30-7/8 27 .51
3rd Quarter 29-5/8 25-7/8 .52 30-5/8 27-7/8 .51
4th Quarter 30-5/8 27-1/2 .52 32-1/4 28-3/8 .51
As of January 31, 1997 there were 143,820 holders of record of common
stock.
On January 28, 1997, the Board of Trustees of the Company declared a
quarterly dividend of 52-1/2 cents per share of Common Stock which was paid on
March 15, 1997 to holders of record on February 19, 1997.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
Year Ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of Dollars)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues ........... $ 6,959.7 $ 6,536.9 $ 6,373.1 $ 6,265.4 $ 5,932.9
Purchased power .............. 1,272.9 1,107.2 787.5 812.6 606.8
Fuel ......................... 573.3 504.1 567.8 605.2 710.3
Gas purchased for resale ..... 418.3 259.8 341.2 289.7 245.2
Operating income ............. 1,013.6 1,041.4 1,036.2 951.1 880.4
Net income for common stock .. 688.2 688.3 698.7 622.9 567.7
Total assets ................. 14,057.2 13,949.9 13,728.4 13,257.4 11,596.1
Long-term obligations
Long-term debt ......... 4,238.6 3,917.2 4,030.5 3,643.9 3,493.6
Capitalized leases ..... 42.7 45.3 47.8 50.4 52.9
Preferred stock subject
to mandatory
redemption ............. 84.6 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Common shareholders' equity .. 5,727.6 5,522.7 5,313.0 5,068.5 4,886.9
Per common share:
Net income ............. $2.93 $2.93 $2.98 $2.66 $2.46
Cash dividends ......... $2.08 $2.04 $2.00 $1.94 $1.90
Average common shares
outstanding (millions) ....... 235.0 234.9 234.8 234.0 231.1
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
37
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Sources of Liquidity
Cash and temporary cash investments were $106.9 million at December 31, 1996
compared with $342.3 million at December 31, 1995 and $245.2 million at December
31, 1994. The Company's cash balances reflect, among other things, the timing
and amounts of external financing.
In December 1996 the Company issued $150 million of five-year floating rate
debentures, the interest rate on which is reset quarterly. A portion of the
proceeds was used in that month to retire at maturity the $75 million 5.90%
Series DD mortgage bonds.
The January 1996 retirement at maturity of the $100 million 5% Series CC
mortgage bonds and the December 1995 redemption, in advance of maturity, of the
$27.4 million of 9.70% debentures were funded from cash balances. In July 1995
the Company issued $100 million 10-year 6-5/8% debentures.
In the first quarter of 1994, pursuant to its amended dividend reinvestment
plan, the Company issued 478,016 shares of common stock for $14.7 million. The
Company amended the plan in 1993 to permit, at the option of the Company, the
use of new shares or outstanding shares purchased in the market.
In February 1994 the Company issued $150 million of 35-year debentures. In July
1994 the Company issued $150 million of five-year floating rate debentures, the
interest rate on which is reset quarterly. In December 1994 the Company issued
$100 million of 35-year tax-exempt debt through the New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
In March 1996 the Company refunded $317 million of certain series of its
preferred stock with the proceeds from the issuance of $275 million of 35-year
7-3/4% subordinated deferrable interest debentures (interest payments on which,
unlike preferred stock dividends, are tax deductible) and $25 million of cash
balances. The net gain on this transaction was offset by an additional provision
for depreciation. See Note B to the financial statements. In May 1996 the
Company issued $100 million of 30-year 7-3/4% debentures, the proceeds of which
were used in June 1996 to redeem, in advance of maturity, $95.3 million of its
9-3/8% debentures. In August 1995 the Company issued $128.3 million of 25-year
6.10% tax-exempt debt through NYSERDA, the proceeds of which were used to
redeem, in advance of maturity, a like amount of outstanding 9% tax-exempt debt.
The Company's cash requirements are subject to substantial fluctuations during
the year due to seasonal variations in cash flow and peak in January and July of
each year when the semi-annual payments of New York City property taxes are due.
At such times the Company has borrowed from banks for short periods.
For 1997 the Company has arranged for bank credit lines amounting to $150
million. Borrowings under the credit lines would bear interest at prevailing
market rates.
Customer accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts,
amounted to $544.0 million, $497.2 million and $440.5 million at December 31,
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The increase at year-end 1996 compared to
year-end 1995 is primarily attributable to higher fuel billings. In terms of
equivalent days of revenue outstanding, these amounts represented 28.6, 27.6 and
27.1 days, respectively.
Regulatory accounts receivable recoverable from customers amounted to $45.4
million and $26.3 million at December 31, 1996 and 1994, respectively.
Regulatory accounts receivable at December 31, 1995 amounted to a net credit to
be refunded to customers of $6.5 million. See Note A to the financial
statements.
The following is a summary of the balances and activity in regulatory accounts
receivable in 1996:
1996
Balance Recoveries Balance
Dec. 31, 1996 from Dec. 31,
(Millions of Dollars) 1995* Accruals* Customers** 1996*
Modified ERAM $(37.7) $10.1 $28.0 $ .4
Electric Incentives
Enlightened Energy
program 19.7 24.2 (14.8) 29.1
Customer service 4.0 6.1 (4.6) 5.5
Fuel and purchased
power 1.9 24.9 (23.3) 3.5
Gas Incentives
System improvement 4.6 6.5 (6.2) 4.9
Customer service 1.0 2.7 (1.7) 2.0
Total $ (6.5) $74.5 ($22.6) $45.4
* Negative amounts are refundable; positive amounts recoverable
**Negative amounts were recovered; positive amounts refunded.
<PAGE>
38
The components of the balance in regulatory accounts receivable at December 31,
1996 are recoverable from customers during 1997 and 1998 under the 1995 electric
rate agreement and 1994 and 1997 gas rate agreements discussed below. See,
however, "PSC Settlement Agreement."
Deferred charges for Enlightened Energy (demand-side management) program costs
amounted to $133.7 million, $144.3 million and $170.2 million at December 31,
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. These costs are recoverable from customers
under the 1992 and 1995 electric rate agreements discussed below. See, however,
"PSC Settlement Agreement."
The Company's earnings include an allowance for funds used during construction
which, as a percent of net income for common stock, was 0.7 percent, 0.8 percent
and 1.7 percent in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
Interest coverage on the SEC book basis was 4.18, 4.20 and 4.58 times for 1996,
1995 and 1994, respectively. The decline in interest coverage in 1995 was due to
lower earnings and higher interest charges. The Company's interest coverage
continues to be high compared with the electric utility industry generally.
The Company's unsecured debentures and tax-exempt debt (which, after the
December 1996 retirement at maturity of the last series of the Company's first
mortgage bonds, are the Company's senior debt securities) are rated A1, A+ and
AA- by Moody's Investor Service (Moody's), Standard and Poor's (S&P) and Fitch
Investors Service, respectively. The Company's subordinated debentures are rated
A2 by Moody's and A by S&P.
Cash flows from operating activities for years 1994 through 1996 were as
follows:
(Millions of Dollars) 1996 1995 1994
Net cash flows from
operating activities $1,107 $1,276 $1,250
Less: Dividends on
common and preferred stock 511 515 505
Net after dividends $ 596 $ 761 $ 745
Net cash flows in 1996 were lower than in 1995 principally due to lower
incentive billings and higher costs for recoverable fuel and gas in storage. Net
cash flows in 1996 were favorably affected by incentive billings of $50.6
million, offset by the return to customers of $28 million of revenues under the
ERAM. Net cash flows in 1995 were favorably affected by incentive billings of
$116.5 million, offset by the return to customers of $54 million of revenues
under the ERAM. Net cash flows in 1994 were favorably affected by incentive
billings of $92.3 million, ERAM billings of $28.9 million and labor productivity
improvements resulting in costs estimated to be approximately $51 million less
than related amounts reflected in rates. See the table on the previous page for
balances in regulatory accounts receivable at December 31, 1996 recoverable from
customers in future periods.
Capital Requirements
The following table compares the Company's capital requirements for the years
1994 through 1996 and estimated amounts for 1997 and 1998:
(Millions of Dollars) 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
Construction expenditures $622 $660 $675 $693 $ 758
Enlightened Energy program
costs less recoveries (a) (52) (19) (11) (26) 30
Power contract termination
costs - net (a) (12) (47) (31) (55) 62
Nuclear decommissioning
trust (b) 21 21 21 19 15
Nuclear fuel 57 15 49 13 47
Investment in subsidiaries 52 77 7 2 7
Subtotal 688 707 710 646 919
Retirement of long term debt
and preferred stock (c) 200 106 184 11 134
Total $888 $813 $894 $657 $1,053
(a) See discussion below of electric rate agreements.
(b) See Note A to the financial statements for discussion of nuclear
decommissioning costs.
(c) Does not include refundings in advance of maturity, nor the preferred stock
refunding in 1996, discussed above. For details of securities maturing
after 1998, see Note B to the financial statements.
Capital requirements shown above for 1996 were met from internally generated
funds and external debt financings of $150 million. The Company expects to
finance its capital requirements for 1997 and 1998, including $306 million of
maturing securities, from internally generated funds and external financings of
about $300 million, most, if not all, of which would be debt issues. In 1997 and
1998 the Company may, from time to time, make short-term borrowings. The
estimates for 1997 and 1998 do not reflect the settlement agreement discussed
under "PSC Settlement Agreement." The Company is reviewing its capital structure
in the light of the Settlement Agreement, and these estimates may change as a
result of this review. In addition, these estimates are forward-looking
statements. They are statements of future expectation and not facts. Actual
results might differ materially from those estimated because of factors such as
the continuing development of competition and related rule-making and
legislation, weather variations, economic conditions, changes in public policy
and other presently unknown or unforeseen factors.
<PAGE>
39
Electric Capacity Resources
Electric peak load in the Company's service area, adjusted for historical design
weather conditions, grew by 100 megawatts (MW) (0.9 percent) in 1996. This
growth was due primarily to the improving local economy during 1996. The growth
in peak load has been mitigated by the Company's Enlightened Energy program,
introduced in 1990, which has helped the Company's customers purchase and
install energy-efficient equipment and encourages the efficient use of energy
resources.
In response to federal and state regulatory policies and requirements for
utilities to contract with non-utility generators (NUGs), the Company entered
into contracts for the supply of substantial capacity from NUG facilities.
Plants with approximately 2,100 MW of such capacity are in commercial operation,
and the related charges are reflected in the Company's rates under the 1995
electric rate agreement.
As excess generating capacity developed in the Northeast, estimates of future
market prices for power declined. Since 1993 the Company has entered into
agreements to terminate NUG contracts involving 725.6 MW at a cost of $212
million (exclusive of interest), $153 million of which has already been
recovered from customers. See "1995 Electric Rate Agreement" below.
The Company's current resource plans indicate that the Company's service area
could require additional generation resources within the next five years.
However, the Company does not anticipate adding long-term capacity resources to
its electric system. In a competitive electric market, unregulated entities,
possibly including an unregulated affiliate of the Company, would be expected to
provide additional capacity resources as dictated by market conditions.
Competition and Industry Restructuring
In recent years federal and New York State initiatives have promoted the
development of competition in the sale of electricity and gas. In general these
initiatives "unbundle," or separate, the integrated services electric and gas
utilities have traditionally provided, and enable customers to purchase
electricity and gas directly from suppliers other than their local utility.
Under these initiatives the Company will continue to transport and deliver
energy to customers in its service area, including energy from other suppliers,
over its electric and gas systems. The rates for such delivery services are
expected to remain regulated on a cost-of-service basis. These systems, along
with the Company's steam system, which will also remain rate-regulated,
comprised more than 70 percent of the Company's net utility plant at December
31, 1996.
In a competitive electric marketplace, the Company could be disadvantaged by its
potential "strandable" costs. Strandable costs are prior investments and
commitments that may not be recoverable in a competitive market. The Company
estimates that, on a present value basis, its electric strandable costs could be
between $4.7 billion and $6.2 billion, including an estimated $650 million
relating to its fossil-fueled power plants, $1.1 billion relating to its nuclear
generating operations (including decommissioning costs) and $3 billion to $4.5
billion relating to capacity charges under the Company's contracts with NUGs.
These estimates are forward-looking statements. Actual stranded costs might be
materially higher or lower than these estimates because of factors affecting the
future market price of capacity (such as competition among capacity providers,
changes in energy usage patterns or economic conditions, technological
developments, or installation of new, or retirement of existing, generation or
transmission capacity), changes in laws or regulations, and other presently
unknown or unforeseen factors. See "PSC Settlement Agreement."
Competition for electric sales in the Company's service area could also be
affected by the limited capacity of the existing transmission facilities for
importing electricity.
In April 1996 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued its Order
888 requiring electric utilities to file non-discriminatory open access
transmission tariffs that would be available to wholesale sellers and buyers of
electric energy and allowing utilities to recover related legitimate and
verifiable stranded costs subject to FERC's jurisdiction. The Company's open
access tariff took effect in July 1996, subject to refund pending the outcome of
a hearing on the tariff scheduled by FERC for August 1997. In December 1996 the
Company filed a tariff to permit it to sell electric energy and capacity at
market-based rates. In January 1997 the Company, along with the other New York
electric utilities, submitted a filing to FERC for approval of a restructuring
of the wholesale electric market in New York State, including the establishment
of an independent system operator that would control and operate most electric
transmission facilities in New York as an integrated system, and a "power
exchange" that would establish visible spot market prices for wholesale energy.
In May 1996 the PSC issued an order in its "Competitive Opportunities"
proceeding endorsing a fundamental restructuring of the electric utility
industry in New York State, based on competition in the generation and energy
services sectors of the industry. In March 1997 the Company and the PSC staff
entered into a Settlement Agreement, which is subject to PSC approval. The
Settlement Agreement reflects the Company's strategy for dealing with
competition, including ongoing cost reductions, increased productivity, pursuit
of growth opportunities and strengthening of customer relations by providing
value-added services. The extent to which the Company will compete in the
emerging competitive marketplace will depend on the outcome of the PSC's
Competitive Opportunities proceeding, particularly as it relates to the
corporate reorganization and inter-affiliate relationship provisions of the
Settlement Agreement, and on management's assessment of the potential for
increasing shareholder value through business activities in this marketplace.
See "PSC Settlement Agreement."
All of the Company's gas customers, either individually or by aggregating their
demand with other customers, became eligible in 1996 to purchase gas directly
from suppliers other than the Company.
<PAGE>
40
1992 Electric Rate Agreement
In April 1992 the PSC approved an electric rate agreement covering the
three-year period April 1, 1992 through March 31, 1995. Under the agreement
annual electric rates were increased by $250.5 million (5.0 percent) in April
1992, by $251.2 million (5.0 percent) in April 1993 and by $55.2 million (1.1
percent) in April 1994. In order to settle disputed items, including alleged
excess earnings in prior years, the Company's revenue allowance was reduced in
each of the three years by $35 million. For calendar year 1994, the Company
accrued incentives of $116.4 million, before federal income tax, for attaining
certain objectives for the Company's Enlightened Energy program, customer
service and fuel costs.
The agreement introduced a rate-making concept known as the Electric Revenue
Adjustment Mechanism (ERAM). The purpose of the ERAM was to eliminate the
linkage between customers' energy consumption and Company profits. Under the
ERAM, rates were based on annual forecasts of electric sales and sales revenues,
with refund to or recovery from customers of any overages or deficiencies of
actual revenues in the prior rate year from those forecasts. Implementation of
the ERAM removed from Company earnings the impact of all variations in electric
sales from forecasts, including the effects of year-to-year weather variations,
changes in economic conditions and the Enlightened Energy program. In 1994 the
Company set aside $63.7 million to be returned to customers for revenue
overcollections under the ERAM.
1995 Electric Rate Agreement
In April 1995 the PSC approved a three-year electric rate agreement effective
April 1, 1995. See, however, "PSC Settlement Agreement." The principal features
of the 1995 electric rate agreement are as follows:
Limited Changes in Base Revenues. There was no increase in base electric
revenues for the first rate year of the agreement (the 12 months ending March
31, 1996). Differences between actual and projected amounts for certain expense
items for each rate year are subject to reconciliation and deferral for refund
to or recovery from customers in subsequent years. These items include pension
and retiree health and life insurance expenses, costs incurred under NUG
contracts, and certain Enlightened Energy and renewable energy expenses.
Likewise, property tax differences are subject to reconciliation and refund to
or recovery from customers, except that the Company absorbs (or retains) 14
percent of any property tax increase (or decrease) from the forecast amounts.
Unlike previous multi-year rate agreements, there are no increases in rates in
the second and third rate years to cover general escalation, wage and salary
increases or carrying costs on increased utility plant investment. See "Modified
ERAM" below for revenue adjustments to reflect changes in numbers of customers.
In March 1996 the PSC approved rates for the second year of the agreement
effective April 1, 1996. Base electric rates were reduced by approximately $19
million (0.3 percent). The decrease reflects a lower allowed rate of return on
equity and a refund to customers under the modified ERAM mechanism, offset in
part by increases in pension and retiree health expenses and NUG capacity costs.
In October 1996 the Company filed for an increase to its electric rates to
become effective April 1, 1997, for the third rate year of the electric rate
agreement. The Company currently anticipates no change in the revenue
requirement from the second rate year.
Return on Equity and Equity Ratio. The allowed rate of return on common equity
in the first rate year was 11.1 percent. The allowed return is subject to
adjustment for the second and third rate years to reflect changes in 30-year
Treasury bond rates. The rate of return on equity for the second rate year is
10.31 percent. For purposes of calculating the allowed return, a 52 percent
common equity ratio is assumed throughout the term of the agreement.
Costs for debt and preferred stock are not updated from the levels projected for
the first rate year.
Earnings Sharing. Following each rate year the Company's actual return on equity
is calculated, using actual capitalization ratios and debt and preferred stock
costs, but excluding any earnings from the incentives discussed below. The
Company is permitted to retain 100 percent of any earnings up to 50 basis points
above the allowed rate of return for that rate year. The Company is permitted to
retain 50 percent of earnings exceeding the allowed rate of return by more than
50 basis points but not more than 150 basis points, and the balance is required
to be deferred for customer benefit. The Company is permitted to retain 25
percent of earnings that exceed the allowed rate of return by more than 150
basis points; one-third of the balance above this level is required to be
deferred for customer benefit and two-thirds is required to be applied to reduce
rate base balances in a manner to be determined by the Company.
The rate of return on electric common equity, excluding incentives, for the
first rate year exceeded the sharing threshold of 11.6 percent, principally due
to increased productivity. As a result, the Company recorded a provision for the
future benefit of electric customers of $10.2 million (primarily in the fourth
quarter of 1995), before federal income tax. Similarly, the Company estimates
the rate of return on electric common equity, excluding incentives, for the
second rate year will exceed the sharing threshold of 10.81 percent. As a
result, in 1996 the Company recorded an additional provision for the future
benefit of electric customers of $18.0 million, before federal income tax.
NUG Termination Costs. The rate agreement provides for full recovery by the
Company of all NUG contract termination costs incurred to date, and permits the
Company to petition the PSC to defer for future recovery from customers the
costs of new NUG contract terminations or modifications, if any, during the term
of the agreement.
<PAGE>
41
Incentive Provisions. The rate agreement permits the Company to earn additional
incentive amounts, not subject to the earnings sharing provisions, by attaining
certain objectives for the Company's Enlightened Energy program, fuel costs and
customer service. While these incentive mechanisms are similar to those provided
under the 1992 electric rate agreement, opportunities for earning incentives are
generally less than under the earlier agreement. There are also penalties for
failing to achieve minimum objectives, and there is a penalty-only incentive
mechanism designed to encourage the Company to maintain its high level of
service reliability.
For 1995 the Company accrued benefits of $32.7 million (including $17.1 million
related to the prior year) and $5.7 million, before federal income tax, for the
Enlightened Energy incentive and for electric customer service performance,
respectively.
For 1996 the Company accrued benefits of $24.2 million and $6.1 million, before
federal income tax, for the Enlightened Energy incentive and for electric
customer service performance, respectively.
Partial Pass-Through Fuel Adjustment Clause (PPFAC). A fuel and purchased power
cost-savings incentive was continued with certain modifications from the 1992
electric rate agreement. See Note A to the financial statements. For each rate
year of the 1995 agreement, there is a $35 million cap (previously $30 million)
on the maximum incentive or penalty, with a "sub-cap" (within the $35 million
cap) of $10 million (as previously) for costs associated with generation from
the Company's Indian Point 2 nuclear unit. While the cap is higher, the targets
established for incentive earnings are generally more difficult to achieve than
under the prior agreement. For 1995 the Company earned $19.2 million, before
federal income tax, under the PPFAC, $6.5 million of which was earned in the
first calendar quarter, under the 1992 agreement. For 1996 the Company earned
$24.9 million, before federal income tax, under the PPFAC.
Modified ERAM. The agreement continues, in modified form, the ERAM introduced in
the 1992 electric rate agreement. The new agreement adds to the ERAM a revenue
per customer (RPC) mechanism which excludes from adjustment those variances in
the Company's electric revenues that result from changes in the number of
customers in each electric service classification. In effect the Company retains
additional revenues attributable to added customers, but bears the revenue
shortfall resulting from lost customers, while other variances from forecast
revenues are deferred for subsequent recovery from or refund to customers and do
not affect the Company's earnings. The ERAM and the RPC mechanism do not apply
to delivery service for the New York Power Authority (NYPA).
At the end of each rate year, the forecast average annual amount of revenue per
customer in each service classification (the RPC Factor) for that rate year is
multiplied by the actual average number of customers in that classification. The
net difference between the total of such amounts and the actual revenues from
all service classifications is deferred for refund to or recovery from customers
in the subsequent rate year; the RPC Factor for the following rate year is
adjusted to reflect such net difference. The RPC Factors are also subject to
adjustment in the second and third rate years to reflect any increase or
decrease in allowed base revenues for reconciliations and projections discussed
above in "Limited Changes in Base Revenues."
For 1995 the Company set aside $35.3 million, before federal income tax, to be
refunded to customers for revenue overcollections under the ERAM and Modified
ERAM, net of $13.3 million earned under the RPC. For 1996 the Company accrued
$10.1 million, before federal income tax, to be recovered from customers for
revenue undercollections under the Modified ERAM, net of $59.6 million earned
under the RPC.
Nuclear Decommissioning Expense. See Note A to the financial statements for
changes in nuclear decommissioning expense under the agreement.
PSC Settlement Agreement
On March 13, 1997, the Company and the PSC staff entered into a settlement
agreement (the Settlement Agreement) with respect to the PSC's Competitive
Opportunities proceeding. See "Competition and Industry Restructuring."
The Settlement Agreement, which is subject to PSC approval, provides for a
transition to a competitive electric market by instituting "retail access" over
a five-year period (the Transition), a rate plan for the Transition, a
reasonable opportunity to recover prior utility investments and commitments that
may not be recoverable in a competitive electric market (often referred to as
"strandable" costs), the divestiture by the Company to unaffiliated third
parties of at least 50 percent of its New York City fossil-fueled generating
capacity, and, subject to shareholder and other approvals, a corporate
reorganization into a holding company structure. A PSC order with respect to the
Settlement Agreement is expected by mid-1997.
The Company believes that the Settlement Agreement will not adversely affect its
eligibility to continue to apply Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation." If such
eligibility were adversely affected, a material write-down of assets, the amount
of which is not presently determinable, could be required.
<PAGE>
42
Retail Access. The Company will implement an energy and capacity retail access
program that will permit its customers to choose alternative energy suppliers.
The delivery of electricity to customers will continue to be through the
Company's transmission and distribution systems. The program will begin in late
1997 with certain large customers and will be expanded to 500 megawatts of
customer load within 12 months following PSC approval of the Settlement
Agreement. The program will be further expanded in annual increments. The
Company will target the phase-in of retail access to make it available to all of
its customers by the earlier of 24 months after the independent system operator
becomes fully operational or December 2002. This schedule is subject to
adjustment as circumstances warrant. In general, the Company's delivery rates
for retail access customers during the Transition will equal the rate applicable
to other comparable customers of the Company less the market value of the energy
and capacity being supplied for customers by the other sellers.
Rate Plan. The rate plan reduces the generation-related revenues that the
Company would have received over the five-year Transition had current rate
levels remained in effect by $655 million. Base rates will be lower by 25
percent for the Company's largest industrial customers and, by the last year of
the Transition, will be lower by 10 percent for other large industrial and
commercial customers and 3.3 percent for residential and other customers. In
general, base electric rates will not otherwise be changed during the Transition
except in the event of changes in costs above anticipated annual levels
resulting from legal or regulatory requirements (including a requirement or
interpretation resulting in the Company's refunding of its tax-exempt debt),
inflation in excess of a 4 percent annual rate, property tax increases,
environmental costs or in the event the Company's rate of return becomes
unreasonable for the provision of safe and adequate service.
The Settlement Agreement also provides, among other things, for a non-bypassable
system benefits charge to recover, to the extent not otherwise recovered, the
costs of required research and development, energy efficiency programs and
programs to assist low income customers, and a penalty mechanism (estimated
maximum, $26 million per year) for failure to maintain certain service quality
and reliability standards.
For any Transition rate year, 50 percent of any earnings in excess of a rate of
return of 12.9 percent on electric common equity will be retained for
shareholders and 50 percent will be applied for customer benefit, with one-half
of such amount to be applied to a reduction of rates or as otherwise determined
by the PSC and the balance to be deferred and applied to reduce the Company's
generating plant balances through additional depreciation expense. The rate of
return calculation will exclude any incentives and reflect any amounts by which
the rate of return for earlier Transition rate years fell below 11.9 percent.
This earnings sharing will end beginning in the year in which the Company
fulfills its divestiture commitment (discussed below) or in which 15 percent of
the service area peak load (excluding the existing load served by NYPA) is
supplied other than by the Company.
The Settlement Agreement supersedes the provisions of the 1995 electric rate
agreement prescribing overall electric revenue levels for the 12 months ending
March 31, 1998. The Settlement Agreement also eliminates the provisions of the
1995 electric rate agreement for incentives or penalties related to the
Enlightened Energy program and customer service performance, the modified ERAM,
earnings sharing and reconciliation of amounts included in base rates with
actual costs for pensions and other post-employment benefits, capacity charges
under the Company's contracts with NUGs, Enlightened Energy program and
renewable energy expenses, property taxes and research and development expenses.
The Settlement Agreement also requires the reversal of all related balances at
March 31,1997, the net effect of which is not expected to be material. An
incentive-based fuel adjustment clause, initially similar to the current PPFAC,
will be in effect during the Transition.
Divestiture Commitment. The Company has agreed to divest to unaffiliated third
parties at least 50 percent of its New York City fossil-fueled generating
capacity no later than December 2002, unless the PSC determines that such
divestiture should be delayed or reduced (to maximize sales price or address
other developments). Divestiture could also be delayed under certain other
circumstances. The generating units not divested to unaffiliated third parties
might be transferred to an unregulated affiliate of the Company. The Company has
agreed to submit a detailed divestiture plan to the PSC within one year of the
PSC's approval of the Settlement Agreement. The PSC could approve the
divestiture plan as submitted, initiate a proceeding to address market power or
other concerns, or request the Company to respond to such concerns.
Recovery of Prior Investments and Commitments. During the Transition, the
Company will continue to recover its potential electric strandable costs (see
"Competition and Industry Restructuring") in the rates it charges all customers.
The Company will also provide during the Transition for $350 million of
additional depreciation for its fossil-fueled generating units and $45 million
for its Indian Point 2 nuclear unit. In addition, as indicated above, certain
"excess" earnings will be applied as an offset to strandable costs.
Following the Transition, the Company will be given a reasonable opportunity to
recover remaining electric strandable costs, as adjusted for any after-tax net
gain or loss from divestiture or transfer of generating units, through a
non-bypassable charge to customers. For remaining fossil-related strandable
costs, the recovery period will be 10 years and for the Company's Indian Point
nuclear station, the recovery period will be the then-remaining life of the
Indian Point 2 unit. With respect to its NUG contracts, the Company will be
permitted to recover at least 90% of the amount by which the actual costs of its
purchases under the contracts exceed market value after the Transition. Any
potential disallowance after the Transition will be limited to the lower of (i)
10% of the above-market costs or (ii) $300 million (in 2002 dollars). The
potential disallowance will be offset by NUG contract mitigation achieved by the
Company after the beginning of the Transition period and 10% of the gross
proceeds of generating unit sales to third parties. The Company will be
permitted a reasonable opportunity to recover any costs subject to disallowance
that are not offset by these two factors if it makes good faith efforts in
implementing provisions of the Settlement Agreement leading to the development
of a competitive electric market in its service territory.
<PAGE>
43
Any financing savings from "securitization" of the Company's strandable costs
are expected to be applied to further reduce customer rates. Subject to
satisfying any conditions of any securitization legislation enacted in New York,
the Company could transfer its right to recover from customers the payment for
the strandable costs to a financing entity that would in return remit to the
Company the proceeds of debt issued by the financing entity. The debt, which
would be non-recourse to the Company, would be secured by, and repaid from, the
future customer payments.
Corporate Structure. The Settlement Agreement authorizes Con Edison to establish
a holding company and establishes guidelines governing transactions among
affiliates. The formation of the holding company is subject to shareholder
approval, FERC approval and the consent of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Upon formation of the holding company, the Company will become a subsidiary of
the holding company, and the Company's common shareholders will automatically
become the shareholders of the holding company. The Company expects that the
holding company would initially also have unregulated energy supply, energy
services and new ventures subsidiaries. The energy supply subsidiary may become
an unregulated owner and operator of electric generating plants and marketer of
electricity. It is expected that the Company's existing gas marketing
subsidiary, ProMark Energy, Inc., will be transferred to the holding company to
become a full-service provider of energy services engaging in both wholesale and
retail sales of electricity and gas and related services. Likewise, the
Company's existing subsidiary, Gramercy Development, Inc., is expected to be the
"new ventures" subsidiary, through which the holding company will develop other
opportunities in both energy and non-energy fields, both domestically and
internationally.
The Settlement Agreement limits the dividends that the Company could pay to the
holding company to not more than 100 percent of income available for dividends
calculated on a two-year rolling average basis. Excluded from "income available
for dividends" will be non-cash charges to income resulting from accounting
changes or charges to income resulting from significant unanticipated events.
The limitation will not apply to dividends necessary to transfer to the holding
company proceeds from major transactions, such as asset sales, or to dividends
reducing the Company's capital ratio to a level appropriate to the Company's
business risk.
Litigation. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Company will terminate
an appeal of a November 1996 rejection by the Supreme Court of the State of
New York of a challenge to the PSC's May 1996 order.
Gas and Steam Rate Agreements
In September 1993 the PSC granted the Company permission to increase its firm
gas rates for the second rate year of a 1992 gas rate agreement by $21.6 million
(2.8 percent). In lieu of an increase of $2.1 million for the second rate year
of a 1992 steam rate agreement, the PSC authorized the Company to retain certain
tax refunds being held by the Company for refund to steam customers.
In October 1994 the PSC approved three-year rate agreements for gas and steam
services. The agreements provide for gas and steam rate increases in the first
rate year, the 12 months ended September 30, 1995, of $7.7 million (0.9 percent)
and $9.9 million (3.0 percent), respectively, and a methodology for rate changes
in the second and third rate years. The gas agreement contained two incentive
mechanisms providing for rewards or penalties. In 1995 the Company accrued
benefits of $6.1 million and $1.3 million, before federal income tax, for
performance under the gas system improvement and customer service incentives,
respectively. In 1996 the Company accrued benefits of $6.5 million and $2.7
million, before federal income tax, for the gas system improvement and customer
service incentives, respectively.
Effective October 1, 1995 (the beginning of the second year of the 1994 gas and
steam rate agreements), gas and steam rates were increased by $20.9 million (2.5
percent) and $4.6 million (1.3 percent), respectively.
In September 1996 the PSC approved rates for the third year of the 1994 steam
rate agreement. Effective October 1, 1996, base steam rates were increased by
$12.1 million (3.44 percent). The calculated increase for the third year was
$22.9 million (6.52 percent). However, under the provisions of the agreement,
the increase was capped, and the balance of $10.8 million will be eligible for
recovery in a future period.
In November 1996 the Company filed a request for a four-year steam rate plan
that would provide annual rate increases of $16.6 million (4.6 percent in the
first rate year). The plan levelizes what would otherwise be a request for a $44
million increase (12.1 percent in the first rate year), followed by smaller
increases in subsequent years. The first increase would be effective October
1997 and the four-year plan would end in September 2001. The major reasons for
the increase are the recovery of the $10.8 million from the 1994 steam rate
agreement; proposed increases in depreciation rates; increases in steam plant
operation and maintenance expenses; the effect of transferring certain common
facilities to steam operations; and an increase in the allowed rate of return on
equity from 10.9 percent to 11.6 percent.
In January 1997 the PSC approved a four-year gas rate settlement agreement under
which the Company withdrew its request for an increase to base gas rates for the
third rate year of the 1994 gas rate agreement (which was to have taken effect
on October 1, 1996). The new agreement contains the following major provisions:
base rates will, with limited exceptions, remain at September 30, 1996 levels
through September 30, 2000; the Company will share in net revenue from
interruptible gas sales (previously used only to reduce firm customer gas costs)
by retaining in each rate year the first $7.0 million of net revenue above 8.5
million dekatherms and 50 percent of additional net revenues; and 86 percent of
any increase in property taxes above levels implicit in rates will be recovered
by offsetting amounts, if any, that would otherwise be returned to customers.
The incentive mechanisms under the 1994 gas agreement will be discontinued
effective October 1997, after which the Company will be subject to a penalty
(maximum, $1.7 million per year) if it fails to maintain targeted levels of
customer satisfaction; and the Company will share with customers 50 percent of
earnings above a 13 percent rate of return on gas common equity.
<PAGE>
44
Clean Air Act Amendments
The Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 impose limits on sulfur dioxide emissions
from electric generating units. Because the Company uses very low sulfur fuel
oil and natural gas as boiler fuels, the sulfur dioxide emissions limits should
not affect the Company's operations. The Company will incur increased capital
and operating costs to meet the nitrogen oxide emissions limits set by the New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) under the "Reasonably
Available Control Technology" (RACT) provisions of the Clean Air Act. The
Company has spent approximately $23 million to comply with the Phase I
limitations. New York and ten other member states of the Northeast Ozone
Transport Commission have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding which calls
for the states to adopt more stringent nitrogen oxide emissions limits for RACT
Phases II and III, effective in 1999 and 2003, respectively. The Company
estimates that compliance with these phases could require capital expenditures
of approximately $150 million.
Nuclear Fuel Disposal
The Company has a contract with the United States Department of Energy (DOE)
which provides that, in return for payments being made by the Company to the DOE
pursuant to the contract, the DOE, starting in 1998, will take title to the
Company's spent nuclear fuel, transport it to a federal repository and store it
permanently. Notwithstanding the contract, the DOE has announced that it is not
likely to have a permanent operating repository before 2015. In July 1996 the
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia held that the DOE
has an obligation "reciprocal to the utilities' obligation to pay fees, to start
disposing of the [spent nuclear fuel] no later than January 31, 1998." In
January 1997 the Company and a number of other utilities petitioned the United
States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia for an order directing the
DOE to implement a program enabling it to begin acceptance of spent fuel by
1998, and to provide relief from any obligation to pay further fees to DOE until
waste disposal commences, authorization to pay (under certain circumstances)
into an escrow account fees which would otherwise be payable to DOE pursuant to
the spent nuclear fuel disposal contracts and enhanced judicial oversight of
DOE's performance under the contracts.
The Company estimates that it has adequate on-site capacity until 2005 for
interim storage of its spent fuel. Absent regulatory or technological
developments by 2005, the Company expects that it will require additional
on-site or other spent fuel storage facilities. Such additional facilities would
require regulatory approvals. In the event that the Company is unable to make
appropriate arrangements for the storage of its spent fuel, the Company would be
required to curtail the operation of its Indian Point 2 nuclear unit. See
discussion of decommissioning in Note A to the financial statements.
Superfund and Asbestos Claims and Other Contingencies
Reference is made to Note F to the financial statements for information
concerning potential liabilities of the Company arising from the Federal
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980
("Superfund"), from claims relating to alleged exposure to asbestos, and from
certain other contingencies to which the Company is subject.
Collective Bargaining Agreement
In June 1996 the Company concluded a new collective bargaining agreement with
the union representing approximately two-thirds of the Company's employees. The
four-year agreement provides for general wage increases of 2.5 percent in each
of the first two years and 3.0 percent in each of years three and four, with a
potential 0.5 percent additional merit-based increase in each year.
Impact of Inflation
The Company is affected by the decline in the purchasing power of the dollar
caused by inflation. Regulation permits the Company to recover through
depreciation only the historical cost of its plant assets even though in an
inflationary economy the cost to replace the assets upon their retirement will
substantially exceed historical cost. However, this is partially offset by the
repayment of the Company's long-term debt in dollars of lesser value than the
dollars originally borrowed.
<PAGE>
45
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Earnings per share were $2.93 in 1996 and 1995 and $2.98 in 1994. The average
number of common shares outstanding for 1996, 1995 and 1994 was 235.0 million,
234.9 million and 234.8 million, respectively.
Earnings for 1996, 1995 and 1994 reflect electric, gas and steam rate increases
or decreases, and other provisions of the electric, gas and steam rate
agreements discussed above.
Operating Revenues and Fuel Costs
Operating revenues in 1996 and 1995 increased from the prior year by $422.8
million and by $163.8 million, respectively. The principal increases and
decreases in revenue were:
Increase (Decrease)
1996 1995
(Millions of Dollars) over 1995 over 1994
Electric, gas and steam rate changes ..... $ .8 $ 29.3
Fuel rider billings* ..................... 319.7 22.4
Sales volume changes
Electric** ........................... 2.9 41.4
Gas ................................. 124.2 (11.7)
Steam ................................ 8.1 (13.9)
Gas weather normalization ................ (18.5) 5.9
Electric:
ERAM/Modified ERAM accruals .......... 45.4 28.4
Recoveries (refunds) of prior
rate year ERAM accruals .............. (25.9) 83.1
Rate refund provision ................ (8.2) (10.0)
Off-system sales ..................... (4.8) 12.5
Other .................................... (20.9) (23.6)
Total .................................... $422.8 $ 163.8
* Excludes costs of fuel, purchased power and gas purchased for resale
reflected in base rates.
**Includes Con Edison direct customers and delivery service for NYPA and
municipal agencies.
The increase in fuel billings in 1996 reflects increases in the unit costs of
both purchased power and fuel used to produce electricity and steam and an
increase in the unit cost of gas purchased for resale. The increase in fuel
billings in 1995 reflects higher unit costs of electric purchased power, offset
by a lower unit cost of gas. Electric fuel costs increased $23.3 million in
1996, largely because of the Company's increased unit cost of fuel partially
offset by lower generation. Electric purchased power costs increased by $161.9
million over the 1995 period reflecting a higher unit cost of power purchased
under NUG contracts. The increases in electric fuel and purchased power costs in
1996 were mitigated by the greater availability in 1996 than in 1995 of
lower-cost nuclear generation from the Company's Indian Point 2 unit. During
1995 Indian Point 2 underwent a scheduled refueling and maintenance outage and
the unit's low cost generation was, therefore, unavailable for part of the year.
Gas purchased for resale increased $158.5 million in 1996, reflecting higher
unit costs of purchased gas and higher sendout. The unit cost of gas was 48.8
percent higher in 1996 than in 1995 and was 20.2 percent lower in 1995 than in
1994. Steam fuel and purchased steam costs increased $49.7 million in 1996 due
to the higher unit cost of fuel.
Electricity sales volume in the Company's service territory increased 0.8
percent in 1996 and 0.7 percent in 1995. Gas sales volume to firm customers
increased 8.9 percent in 1996 and decreased 2.8 percent in 1995. Transportation
of customer-owned gas decreased 67.1 percent in 1996 and increased 65.3 percent
in 1995, primarily due to variations in the volume of gas transported for use by
NYPA as boiler fuel at its Poletti unit. Steam sales volume increased 1.9
percent in 1996 and decreased 4.1 percent in 1995.
The Company's electricity, gas and steam sales vary seasonally in response to
weather. Electric peak load occurs in the summer, while gas and steam sales peak
in the winter. After adjusting for variations, principally weather and billing
days, in each period, electricity sales volume increased 0.9 percent in 1996 and
1.2 percent in 1995. Similarly adjusted, gas sales volume to firm customers
increased 1.9 percent in 1996 and 0.1 percent in 1995, and steam sales volume
decreased 0.1 percent in 1996 and 1.9 percent in 1995. Weather-adjusted sales
represent the Company's estimate of the sales that would have been made if
historical average weather conditions had prevailed.
<PAGE>
46
Off-system electricity sales were 3,917 millions of kilowatthours (kWh) in 1996
compared with 5,035 millions of kWh in 1995. Off-system sales include
arrangements in which the Company produces electricity for others using gas they
provide as fuel. The Company has purchased a substantial portion of this
electricity for sale to its own customers.
Other Operations and Maintenance Expenses
Other operations and maintenance expenses decreased 1.8 percent in 1996 and were
unchanged in 1995. For 1996 the decrease reflects lower production expenses,
principally due to the refueling and maintenance outage of the Indian Point 2
nuclear unit in 1995; there was no such outage in 1996. The decrease was offset
in part by higher pension and retiree benefit costs due to changes in actuarial
assumptions. For 1995 lower administrative and general expenses and production
expenses at fossil-fueled generating stations were offset in part by higher
amortization of previously deferred Enlightened Energy program costs and higher
production expenses related to the refueling and maintenance outage of the
Indian Point 2 nuclear unit in that year.
In 1996 the Company accrued $10 million for environmental liabilities related to
various Superfund sites. During 1995 the Company accrued $10 million for
environmental remediation costs relating to Company facilities pursuant to a
1994 settlement of a DEC civil administrative proceeding against the Company,
and $5 million for two Superfund sites. In 1994, pursuant to the DEC settlement,
the Company paid a $9 million penalty and contributed $5 million to an
environmental projects fund. In addition the Company accrued $11.5 million
during 1994 for environmental investigation and site remediation costs. See Note
F to the financial statements for additional information about the settlement.
Taxes, Other Than Federal Income Tax
At $1.2 billion, taxes, other than federal income tax, remain one of the
Company's largest operating expenses. The principal components and variations in
operating taxes were:
Increase (Decrease)
1996 1996 1995
(Millions of Dollars) Amount over 1995 over 1994
Property taxes .................. $ 571.6 $37.6 $(5.4)
State and local taxes on revenues . 473.9 13.6 (2.2)
Payroll taxes ..................... 60.8 2.6 .4
Other taxes ....................... 59.9 (7.8) (.3)
Total $1,166.2* $46.0 $(7.5)
* Including sales taxes on customers' bills, total taxes, other than
federal income taxes, billed to customers in 1996 were $1,478.9 million.
The increase in property taxes in 1996 reflects higher assessed valuations. The
reduction in property taxes in 1995 reflects a decrease in the share of total
New York City property taxes borne by the Company.
Other Income
Other income decreased $7.5 million in 1996 and increased $8.2 million in 1995.
The variations in other income reflect primarily changes in interest rates and
the level of temporary cash investment balances.
Net Interest Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements
Interest on long-term debt increased $5.9 million in 1996 and $12.9 million in
1995 principally as a result of new debt issues. The increase in 1996 relates to
the preferred stock refunding discussed above, which substantially reduced the
Company's preferred stock dividend requirements. Other interest decreased $11.6
million in 1996, principally as a result of lower interest associated with
certain tax settlements and customer overpayments. Other interest increased $9.1
million in 1995, principally as a result of a higher rate of interest applied to
customer deposits and interest associated with certain tax settlements.
Federal Income Tax
Federal income tax decreased $1.4 million in 1996 and $41.0 million in 1995
reflecting the changes each year in income before tax and in tax credits. See
Note I to the financial statements.
March 13, 1997
<PAGE>
47
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
A. Financial Statements
Page
Index to Financial Statements Number
Report of Independent Accountants 49
Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 1996
and 1995 50-51
Consolidated Income Statement for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 52
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 53
Consolidated Statement of Capitalization at
December 31, 1996 and 1995 54-55
Consolidated Statement of Retained Earnings for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 56
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 56-64
The following Schedule is filed as a "Financial Statement Schedule"
pursuant to Item 14 of this report:
Schedule VIII - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 65-67
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the
required information is shown in the financial statements or notes
thereto.
Separate financial statements of subsidiaries, not consolidated, have been
omitted because, if considered in the aggregate, they would not constitute
a significant subsidiary.
<PAGE>
48
B. Supplementary Financial Information
Selected Quarterly Financial Data for the years ended December 31, 1996
and 1995 (Unaudited)
First Second Third Fourth
1996 (Millions of Dollars) Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
Operating revenues ......... $1,867.4 $1,539.7 $1,920.3 $1,632.3
Operating income ........... 252.7 152.3 409.4 199.2
Net income ................. 174.5 71.4 328.0 120.2
Net income for common stock 182.5 66.8 323.4 115.5
Earnings per common share .. $.78 $.28 $1.38 $.49
First Second Third Fourth
1995 (Millions of Dollars) Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
Operating revenues ......... $1,668.8 $1,459.8 $1,879.9 $1,528.4
Operating income ........... 280.0 156.0 412.8 192.6
Net income ................. 201.1 76.4 333.3 113.1
Net income for common stock 192.2 67.5 324.4 104.2
Earnings per common share .. $.82 $.29 $1.38 $.44
In the opinion of the Company these quarterly amounts include all adjustments,
consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation.
<PAGE>
49
Report of Independent Accountants
To the Board of Trustees and Stockholders of
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed under Item 8.A in
the index appearing on page 47 present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. and its
subsidiaries at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above.
Price Waterhouse LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, N.Y. 10036
March 13, 1997
<PAGE>
50
<TABLE>
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
Assets
At December 31 (Thousands of Dollars) 1996 1995
<S> <C> <C>
Utility plant, at original cost (Notes A and B)
Electric $11,588,344 $11,319,622
Gas 1,642,231 1,537,296
Steam 536,672 462,975
General 1,152,001 1,085,795
Total 14,919,248 14,405,688
Less: Accumulated depreciation 4,285,732 4,036,954
Net 10,633,516 10,368,734
Construction work in progress 332,333 360,457
Nuclear fuel assemblies and components,
less accumulated amortization 101,461 85,212
Net utility plant 11,067,310 10,814,403
Current assets
Cash and temporary cash investments (Note A) 106,882 342,292
Accounts receivable - customers,
less allowance for uncollectible accounts
of $21,600 in 1996 and 1995 544,004 497,215
Other receivables 42,056 45,558
Regulatory accounts receivable (Note A) 45,397 (6,481)
Fuel, at average cost 64,709 40,506
Gas in storage, at average cost 44,979 26,452
Materials and supplies, at average cost 204,801 221,026
Prepayments 64,492 66,148
Other current assets 15,167 15,126
Total current assets 1,132,487 1,247,842
Investments and nonutility property
177,224 145,646
Deferred charges (Note A)
Enlightened Energy program costs 133,718 144,282
Unamortized debt expense 130,786 133,812
Recoverable fuel costs (Note A) 101,462 59,454
Power contract termination costs 58,560 105,408
Other deferred charges 271,356 256,783
Total deferred charges 695,882 699,739
Regulatory asset - future federal
income taxes (Notes A and I) 984,282 1,042,260
Total $14,057,185 $13,949,890
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
51
<TABLE>
Capitalization and Liabilities
At December 31 (Thousands of Dollars) 1996 1995
<S> <C> <C>
Capitalization (see Consolidated Statement
of Capitalization)
Common shareholders' equity $ 5,727,568 $ 5,522,734
Preferred stock subject to mandatory
redemption (Note B) 84,550 100,000
Other preferred stock (Note B) 238,098 539,917
Long-term debt 4,238,622 3,917,244
Total capitalization 10,288,838 10,079,895
Noncurrent liabilities
Obligations under capital leases 42,661 45,250
Other noncurrent liabilities 80,499 75,907
Total noncurrent liabilities 123,160 121,157
Current liabilities
Long-term debt due within one year
(Note B) 106,256 183,524
Accounts payable 431,115 420,852
Customer deposits 159,616 158,366
Accrued taxes 27,342 24,374
Accrued interest 83,090 89,374
Accrued wages 80,225 76,459
Other current liabilities 147,968 168,477
Total current liabilities 1,035,612 1,121,426
Provisions related to future federal
income taxes and other deferred
credits (Notes A and I)
Accumulated deferred federal income tax 2,289,092 2,296,284
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits 172,510 181,420
Other deferred credits 147,973 149,708
Total deferred credits 2,609,575 2,627,412
Contingencies (Note F)
Total $14,057,185 $13,949,890
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
52
<TABLE>
Consolidated Income Statement
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
Year Ended December 31 (Thousands of Dollars) 1996 1995 1994
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues (Note A)
Electric $5,541,117 $5,389,408 $5,140,472
Gas 1,015,070 813,356 890,107
Steam 403,549 334,133 342,507
Total operating revenues 6,959,736 6,536,897 6,373,086
Operating expenses
Purchased power 1,272,854 1,107,223 787,455
Fuel 573,275 504,104 567,764
Gas purchased for resale 418,271 259,789 341,204
Other operations 1,163,337 1,139,732 1,146,094
Maintenance 458,637 512,102 506,179
Depreciation and amortization (Note A) 496,412 455,776 422,356
Taxes, other than federal income tax 1,166,199 1,120,232 1,127,691
Federal income tax (Notes A and I) 397,160 396,560 438,160
Total operating expenses 5,946,145 5,495,518 5,336,903
Operating income 1,013,591 1,041,379 1,036,183
Other income (deductions)
Investment income (Note A) 8,327 16,966 10,601
Allowance for equity funds used
during construction (Note A) 3,468 3,763 8,354
Other income less miscellaneous deductions (8,749) (8,149) (15,201)
Federal income tax (Notes A and I) 970 (1,060) (430)
Total other income 4,016 11,520 3,324
Income before interest charges 1,017,607 1,052,899 1,039,507
Interest on long-term debt 307,820 301,917 289,060
Other interest 17,331 28,954 19,853
Allowance for borrowed funds used
during construction (Note A) (1,629) (1,822) (3,676)
Net interest charges 323,522 329,049 305,237
Net income 694,085 723,850 734,270
Preferred stock dividend requirements (19,859) (35,565) (35,587)
Gain on refunding of preferred stock
(Note B) 13,943 -- --
Net income for common stock $ 688,169 $ 688,285 $ 698,683
Earnings per common share based on
average number of shares outstanding
during each year (234,976,697;
234,930,301 and 234,753,901) $ 2.93 $ 2.93 $ 2.98
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
53
<TABLE>
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
Year Ended December 31 (Thousands of Dollars) 1996 1995 1994
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating activities
Net income $ 694,085 $ 723,850 $ 734,270
Principal non-cash charges (credits)
to income
Depreciation and amortization 496,412 455,776 422,356
Deferred recoverable fuel costs (42,008) (61,937) 20,132
Federal income tax deferred 40,600 69,020 64,090
Common equity component of allowance
for funds used during construction (3,274) (3,546) (7,876)
Other non-cash charges 9,602 14,382 45,537
Changes in assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable - customers,
less allowance for uncollectibles (46,789) (56,719) 18,765
Regulatory accounts receivable (51,878) 32,827 70,771
Materials and supplies, including
fuel and gas in storage (26,505) 43,341 17,306
Prepayments, other receivables
and other current assets 5,117 4,566 21,317
Enlightened Energy program costs 10,564 25,919 (30,144)
Power contract termination costs 30,827 55,387 (62,376)
Accounts payable 10,263 46,383 (18,074)
Other - net (19,679) (72,785) (46,161)
Net cash flows from operating activities 1,107,337 1,276,464 1,249,913
Investing activities including construction
Construction expenditures (675,233) (692,803) (757,530)
Nuclear fuel expenditures (48,705) (12,840) (47,071)
Contributions to nuclear decommissioning trust (21,301) (18,893) (14,586)
Common equity component of allowance for funds
used during construction 3,274 3,546 7,876
Net cash flows from investing activities
including construction (741,965) (720,990) (811,311)
Financing activities including dividends
Issuance of common stock -- -- 14,650
Issuance of long-term debt 525,000 228,285 400,000
Retirement of long-term debt (183,524) (10,889) (133,639)
Advance refunding of preferred stock (316,982) -- --
Advance refunding of long-term debt (95,329) (155,699) --
Issuance and refunding costs (18,480) (5,269) (5,988)
Common stock dividends (488,756) (479,262) (469,561)
Preferred stock dividends (22,711) (35,569) (35,599)
Net cash flows from financing activities
including dividends (600,782) (458,403) (230,137)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
temporary cash investments (235,410) 97,071 208,465
Cash and temporary cash investments at January 1 342,292 245,221 36,756
Cash and temporary cash
investments at December 31 $ 106,882 $ 342,292 $ 245,221
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 309,279 $ 309,953 $ 269,839
Income taxes 346,755 344,754 385,355
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
54
<TABLE>
Consolidated Statement of Capitalization
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
At December 31 (Thousands of Dollars) 1996 1995
Shares outstanding
December 31, 1996 December 31, 1995
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common shareholders' equity (Note B)
Common stock, $2.50 par value,
authorized 340,000,000 shares 234,993,596 234,956,299 $1,478,536 $1,464,305
Retained earnings 4,283,935 4,097,035
Capital stock expense (34,903) (38,606)
Total common shareholders' equity 5,727,568 5,522,734
Preferred stock (Note B)
Subject to mandatory redemption
Cumulative Preferred, $100 par value,
7.20% Series I 475,000 500,000 47,500 50,000
6 1/8% Series J 370,500 500,000 37,050 50,000
Total subject to mandatory redemption 84,550 100,000
Other preferred stock
$5 Cumulative Preferred, without par value,
authorized 1,915,319 shares 1,915,319 1,915,319 175,000 175,000
Cumulative Preferred, $100 par value,
authorized 6,000,000 shares*
5 3/4% Series A 70,612 600,000 7,061 60,000
5 1/4% Series B 138,438 750,000 13,844 75,000
4.65% Series C 153,296 600,000 15,330 60,000
4.65% Series D 222,330 750,000 22,233 75,000
5 3/4% Series E -- 500,000 -- 50,000
6.20% Series F -- 400,000 -- 40,000
Cumulative Preference, $100 par value,
authorized 2,250,000 shares
6% Convertible Series B 46,305 49,174 4,630 4,917
Total other preferred stock 238,098 539,917
Total preferred stock $ 322,648 $ 639,917
* Represents total authorized shares of cumulative preferred stock, $100 par
value, including preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
55
<TABLE>
At December 31 (Thousands of Dollars) 1996 1995
Long-term debt (Note B)
Maturity Interest Rate Series
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds (open-end mortgage):
1996 5 % CC $ -- $ 100,000
1996 5.90 DD -- 75,000
Total mortgage bonds -- 175,000
Debentures:
1997 5.30 % 1993E 100,000 100,000
1998 6 1/4 1993A 100,000 100,000
1998 5.70 1993F 100,000 100,000
1999 6 1/2 1992D 75,000 75,000
1999 * 1994B 150,000 150,000
2000 7 3/8 1992A 150,000 150,000
2000 7.60 1992C 125,000 125,000
2001 6 1/2 1993B 150,000 150,000
2001 * 1996B 150,000 --
2002 6 5/8 1993C 150,000 150,000
2003 6 3/8 1993D 150,000 150,000
2004 7 5/8 1992B 150,000 150,000
2005 7 3/8 1992E 75,000 75,000
2005 6 5/8 1995A 100,000 100,000
2023 7 1/2 1993G 380,000 380,000
2026 9 3/8 1991A -- 95,329
2026 7 3/4 1996A 100,000 --
2027 8.05 1992F 100,000 100,000
2029 7 1/8 1994A 150,000 150,000
Total debentures 2,455,000 2,300,329
Tax-exempt debt - notes issued to New York State Energy Research
and Development Authority for Facilities Revenue Bonds:
2020 6.10 % 1995A 128,285 128,285
2020 5 1/4 1993B 127,715 127,715
2021 7 1/2 1986A 150,000 150,000
2022 7 1/8 1987A 100,855 100,855
2022 9 1/4 1987B 29,385 29,385
2022 5 3/8 1993C 19,760 19,760
2024 7 3/4 1989A 150,000 150,000
2024 7 3/8 1989B 100,000 100,000
2024 7 1/4 1989C 150,000 150,000
2025 7 1/2 1990A 150,000 150,000
2026 7 1/2 1991A 128,150 128,150
2027 6 3/4 1992A 100,000 100,000
2027 6 3/8 1992B 100,000 100,000
2028 6 1993A 101,000 101,000
2029 7 1/8 1994A 100,000 100,000
Total tax-exempt debt 1,635,150 1,635,150
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures:
2031 7 3/4% 1996A 275,000 --
Other long-term debt 8,848 19,163
Unamortized debt discount (29,120) (28,874)
Total 4,344,878 4,100,768
Less: Long-term debt due within one year 106,256 183,524
Total long-term debt 4,238,622 3,917,244
Total capitalization $10,288,838 $10,079,895
*Rate reset quarterly. At December 31, 1996 the rates for the Series 1994 B
and the Series 1996 B were 5.8125% and 5.65078%, respectively.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
56
<TABLE>
Consolidated Statement of Retained Earnings
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
Year Ended December 31 (Thousands of Dollars) 1996 1995 1994
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, January 1 $4,097,035 $3,888,010 $3,658,886
Net income for the year 694,085 723,850 734,270
Total 4,791,120 4,611,860 4,393,156
Dividends declared on capital stock
Cumulative Preferred, at required annual rates 18,145 35,259 35,259
Cumulative Preference, 6% Convertible Series B 284 304 326
Common, $2.08, $2.04 and $2.00 per share 488,756 479,262 469,561
Total dividends declared 507,185 514,825 505,146
Balance, December 31 $4,283,935 $4,097,035 $3,888,010
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note A Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Regulation. The Company is subject to regulation by the New York Public Service
Commission (PSC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The
Company's accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting
principles, as applied in the case of regulated public utilities, and to the
accounting requirements and rate-making practices of these regulatory
authorities.
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 121, "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of,"
requires long-lived and certain other assets to be reviewed for impairment if
the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. SFAS No. 121 also amends
SFAS No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation," to
require that regulatory assets (which include certain deferred charges) be
charged to earnings if such assets are no longer considered probable of
recovery. The application of SFAS No. 121 had no effect on the Company's
financial position or results of operations in 1996.
On March 13, 1997, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement with the PSC
staff with respect to the PSC's "Competitive Opportunities" proceeding. The
Settlement Agreement, which is subject to PSC approval, provides for a
transition to a competitive electricity market over a five-year period (the
Transition), a rate plan for the Transition, a reasonable opportunity to recover
prior utility investments and commitments that may not be recoverable in a
competitive electric market (often referred to as "strandable" costs), the
divestiture by the Company to unaffiliated third parties of at least 50 percent
of its New York City fossil-fueled generating capacity, and, subject to
shareholder and other approvals, a corporate reorganization into a holding
company structure. The Settlement Agreement will change certain accounting
policies described in these notes. The Company believes that the Settlement
Agreement will not adversely affect its eligibility to continue to apply SFAS
No. 71. If such eligibility were adversely affected, a material write-down of
assets, the amount of which is not presently determinable, could be required.
Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Utility Plant and Depreciation. The capitalized cost of additions to utility
plant includes indirect costs such as engineering, supervision, payroll taxes,
pensions, other benefits and an allowance for funds used during construction
(AFDC). The original cost of property, together with removal cost, less salvage,
is charged to accumulated depreciation as property is retired. The cost of
repairs and maintenance is charged to expense, and the cost of betterments is
capitalized.
Rates used for AFDC include the cost of borrowed funds used for construction
purposes and a reasonable rate on the Company's own funds when so used,
determined in accordance with PSC and FERC regulations. The AFDC rate was 9.0
percent in 1996, 9.1 percent in 1995 and 9.4 percent in 1994. The rate was
compounded semiannually, and the amounts applicable to borrowed funds were
treated as a reduction of interest charges.
The annual charge for depreciation is computed on the straight-line method for
financial statement purposes using rates based on average lives and net salvage
factors, with the exception of the Indian Point 2 nuclear unit, the Company's
share of the Roseton generating station, certain leaseholds and certain general
equipment, which are depreciated on a remaining life amortization method.
Depreciation rates averaged approximately 3.4 percent in 1996, 3.3 percent in
1995 and 3.2 percent in 1994. In 1996 an additional
<PAGE>
57
provision for depreciation of $13.9 million was accrued in connection with a
preferred stock refunding. See Note B.
The Company is a joint owner of two 1,200-megawatt (MW) electric generating
stations: (1) Bowline Point, operated by Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.,
with the Company owning a two-thirds interest, and (2) Roseton, operated by
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., with the Company owning a 40 percent
interest. Central Hudson has the option to acquire the Company's interest in the
Roseton station in 2004. The Company's share of the investment in these stations
at original cost and as included in its balance sheet at December 31, 1996 and
1995 was:
(Thousands of Dollars) 1996 1995
Bowline Point: Plant in service $204,484 $203,360
Construction work in progress 2,788 2,340
Roseton: Plant in service 146,623 145,207
Construction work in progress 846 2,089
The Company's share of accumulated depreciation for the Roseton station at
December 31, 1996 and 1995 was $70.3 million and $64.8 million, respectively. A
separate depreciation account is not maintained for the Company's share of the
Bowline Point station. The Company's share of operating expenses for these
stations is included in its income statement.
Nuclear Decommissioning. Depreciation charges include a provision for
decommissioning both the Indian Point 2 and the retired Indian Point 1 nuclear
units. Decommissioning costs are being accrued ratably over the Indian Point 2
license period which extends to the year 2013. The Company has been accruing for
the costs of decommissioning within the internal accumulated depreciation
reserve since 1975. In 1989 the PSC permitted the Company to establish an
external trust fund for the costs of decommissioning the nuclear portions of the
plants pursuant to Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations. Accordingly,
beginning in 1989, the Company has made contributions to such a trust. The
external trust fund is discussed below under "Investments" in this Note A.
Accumulated decommissioning provisions at December 31, 1996 and 1995, which
include earnings on funds externally invested, were as follows:
Amounts Included in
Accumulated Depreciation
(Millions of Dollars) 1996 1995
Nuclear $ 164.7 $ 134.4
Non-Nuclear 57.0 55.3
Total $ 221.7 $ 189.7
For the 12 months ended March 31, 1995, the Company provided expense allowances
of $11.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively, for decommissioning the nuclear
and non-nuclear portions of the plants. These amounts, which were recovered from
customers through billings, were approved by the PSC in a 1992 electric rate
agreement, and were designed to fund decommissioning costs which had been
estimated at approximately $300 million in 1993 dollars. In 1994 a site-specific
decommissioning study was prepared for both the Indian Point 2 and the retired
Indian Point 1 nuclear units. Based upon this study, the estimated
decommissioning cost in 1993 dollars is approximately $657 million, of which
$252 million is for extended on-site storage of spent nuclear fuel. Using a 3.25
percent annual escalation factor, the estimated cost in 2016, the assumed
midpoint for decommissioning expenditures, is approximately $1,372 million.
Under a 1995 electric rate agreement, effective April 1995, the Company revised
the annual decommissioning expense allowance for the nuclear and non-nuclear
portions of the plants to $21.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively, to fund
the future estimated costs of decommissioning. The annual expense allowance
assumes a 6 percent after-tax annual return on fund assets.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is currently reviewing the
utility industry's accounting treatment of nuclear and certain other plant
decommissioning costs. In the exposure draft, "Accounting for Certain
Liabilities Related to Closure or Removal of Long-Lived Assets," issued in
February 1996, the FASB concluded that decommissioning costs should be accounted
for at present value as a liability, with a corresponding asset in utility
plant, rather than as a component of depreciation. Discussions of issues
addressed in the exposure draft are ongoing.
Nuclear Fuel. Nuclear fuel assemblies and components are amortized to operating
expenses based on the quantity of heat produced in the generation of
electricity. Fuel costs also include provisions for payments to the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) for future off-site storage of the spent fuel and for
a portion of the costs to decontaminate and decommission the DOE facilities used
to enrich uranium purchased by the Company. Such payments amounted to $9.8
million in 1996. Nuclear fuel costs are recovered in revenues through base rates
or through the fuel adjustment clause.
Leases. In accordance with SFAS No. 71, those leases that meet the criteria for
capitalization are capitalized for accounting purposes. For rate-making
purposes, all leases have been treated as operating leases.
Revenues. Revenues for electric, gas and steam service are recognized on a
monthly billing cycle basis. Pursuant to the 1992 and 1995 electric rate
agreements, actual electric net revenues (operating revenues less fuel and
purchased power costs and revenue taxes) are adjusted by accrual to target
levels established under the agreements in accordance with an electric revenue
adjustment mechanism (ERAM). The 1995 agreement introduced a revenue per
customer mechanism (RPC) which modified the ERAM. Under the RPC, revenues are
increased (or decreased) to reflect variations from target levels in the numbers
of customers in the various service classes. Revenues are also increased (or
decreased) each month to reflect rewards (or penalties) earned under incentive
mechanisms for the Enlightened Energy (demand-side management) program and for
customer service activities. The agreements provide that the net regulatory
asset (or liability) thus accrued in each rate year is to be reflected in
customers' bills in the following rate year.
The 1994 and 1997 gas rate agreements provide for revenues to be increased (or
decreased) each month to reflect rewards (or penalties) earned under incentive
mechanisms related to gas customer service and system improvement targets.
<PAGE>
58
Recoverable Fuel Costs. Fuel and purchased power costs that are above the levels
included in base rates are recoverable under electric, gas and steam fuel
adjustment clauses. If costs fall below these levels, the difference is credited
to customers. For electric and steam, such costs are deferred until the period
in which they are billed or credited to customers (40 days for electric, 30 days
for steam). For gas, the excess or deficiency is accumulated for refund or
surcharge to customers on an annual basis.
Effective April 1992 a partial pass-through electric fuel adjustment clause
(PPFAC) was implemented with monthly targets for electric fuel and purchased
power costs. The Company retains for stockholders 30 percent of any savings in
actual costs below the target amount, but must bear 30 percent of any excess of
actual costs over the target. For each rate year of the 1995 electric rate
agreement, there is a $35 million cap on the maximum increase or decrease in
fuel billings, with a limit (within the $35 million) of $10 million for costs
associated with generation at the Company's Indian Point 2 nuclear unit.
Regulatory Accounts Receivable. Regulatory accounts receivable at December 31,
1996 amounted to $45.4 million, reflecting accruals under the 1995 electric rate
agreement and the 1994 gas rate agreement for incentive benefits related to the
Company's Enlightened Energy program ($29.1 million), and electric customer
service activities ($5.5 million), for the amounts to be billed under the PPFAC
($3.5 million), for incentive benefits related to gas system improvement ($4.9
million) and gas customer service ($2.0 million) and for net electric sales
revenues in accordance with the Modified ERAM ($0.4 million). The revenues
accrued in a given 12-month period under the Modified ERAM and for incentives
related to the Enlightened Energy program, electric customer service activities
and the Company's gas business are being recovered from or refunded to customers
over an ensuing 12-month period. The amounts accrued under the PPFAC are billed
to customers on a monthly basis through the electric fuel adjustment clause.
Enlightened Energy Program Costs. In accordance with PSC directives, the Company
defers the costs for its Enlightened Energy program for future recovery from
ratepayers. Such deferrals amounted to $133.7 million at December 31, 1996 and
$144.3 million at December 31, 1995. In accordance with the 1992 and 1995
electric rate agreements, the Company is generally recovering its Enlightened
Energy program costs over a five-year period.
Temporary Cash Investments. Temporary cash investments are short-term, highly
liquid investments which generally have maturities of three months or less. They
are stated at cost which approximates market. The Company considers temporary
cash investments to be cash equivalents.
Investments. Investments consist primarily of an external nuclear
decommissioning trust fund. At December 31, 1996 and 1995 the trust fund
amounted to $164.7 million and $134.4 million, respectively. Investments are
stated at market. Earnings on the trust fund are not recognized in income but
are included in the accumulated depreciation reserve. See "Nuclear
Decommissioning" in this Note A.
Gas Hedging. In 1996 the Company initiated a program to hedge the cost of
natural gas in storage against adverse market price fluctuations. The Company
defers hedging gains and losses until the underlying gas commodity is withdrawn
from storage and then adjusts the cost of its gas in storage accordingly.
Hedging losses or gains are charged or credited to customers through the
Company's gas fuel adjustment clause. Hedging losses deferred on open positions
at December 31, 1996 were not material.
Federal Income Tax. In accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income
Taxes," the Company has recorded an accumulated deferred federal income tax
liability for substantially all temporary differences between the book and tax
bases of assets and liabilities at current tax rates. In accordance with rate
agreements, the Company has recovered amounts from customers for a portion of
the tax expense the Company will pay in the future as a result of the reversal
or "turn-around" of these temporary differences. As to the remaining temporary
differences, in accordance with SFAS No. 71, the Company has established a
regulatory asset for the net revenue requirements to be recovered from customers
for the related future tax expense. In 1993 the PSC issued an Interim Policy
Statement proposing accounting procedures consistent with SFAS No. 109 and
providing assurances that these future increases in taxes will be recoverable in
rates. The final policy statement is not expected to differ materially from the
interim policy statement. See Note I.
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits are amortized ratably over the lives
of the related properties and applied as a reduction in future federal income
tax expense.
The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return.
Income taxes are allocated to each company based on its taxable income.
Research and Development Costs. Research and development costs relating to
specific construction projects are capitalized. All other such costs are charged
to operating expenses as incurred. Research and development costs in 1996, 1995
and 1994, amounting to $32.3 million, $45.0 million and $46.8 million,
respectively, were charged to operating expenses. No research and development
costs were capitalized in these years.
Estimates. The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect judgments
and estimates made in the application of the above accounting policies.
Note B Capitalization
Common Stock and Preferred Stock Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption. Each share
of Series B preference stock is convertible into 13 shares of common stock at a
conversion price of $7.69 per share. During 1996, 1995 and 1994, 2,869 shares,
3,928 shares and 4,176 shares of Series B preference stock were converted into
37,297 shares, 51,064 shares and 54,288 shares of common stock, respectively. At
December 31, 1996, 601,965 shares of unissued common stock were reserved for
conversion of preference stock.
<PAGE>
59
The prices at which the Company has the option to redeem its preferred stock
other than Series I and Series J (in each case, plus accrued dividends) are as
follows:
$5 Cumulative Preferred Stock $ 105.00
Cumulative Preferred Stock:
Series A $ 102.00
Series B 102.00
Series C 101.00
Series D 101.00
Cumulative Preference Stock:
6% Convertible Series B $ 100.00
Preferred Stock Subject to Mandatory Redemption. The Company is required to
redeem 25,000 of the Series I shares on May 1 of each year in the five-year
period commencing with the year 2002 and to redeem the remaining Series I shares
on May 1, 2007. The Company is required to redeem the Series J shares on August
1, 2002. In each case, the redemption price is $100 per share plus accrued and
unpaid dividends to the redemption date. In addition, the Company may redeem
Series I shares at a redemption price of $104.32 per share, plus accrued
dividends, if redeemed prior to May 1, 1997 (and thereafter at prices declining
annually to $100 per share, plus accrued dividends, after April 30, 2002).
Neither Series I nor Series J shares may be called for redemption while
dividends are in arrears on outstanding shares of $5 Cumulative Preferred Stock
or Cumulative Preferred Stock.
Preferred Stock Refunding. In March 1996 the Company canceled approximately $227
million of its preferred stock purchased pursuant to a tender offer and redeemed
an additional $90 million of its preferred stock. In accordance with the PSC
order approving the issuance of subordinated deferrable interest debentures to
refund the preferred stock, the Company offset the net gain of $13.9 million by
accruing an additional provision for depreciation equal to the net gain.
Dividends. No dividends may be paid, or funds set apart for payment, on the
Company's Cumulative Preference Stock or common stock until all dividends
accrued on the $5 Cumulative Preferred Stock and Cumulative Preferred Stock have
been paid, or declared and set apart for payment, and unless the Company is not
in arrears on its mandatory redemption obligation for the Series I and Series J
Cumulative Preferred Stock. No dividends may be paid on any of the Company's
capital stock during any period in which the Company has deferred payment of
interest on its subordinated deferrable interest debentures.
Long-Term Debt. Total long-term debt maturing in the period 1997-2001 is as
follows:
1997 $106,256,000
1998 200,000,000
1999 225,000,000
2000 275,000,000
2001 300,000,000
Note C Lines of Credit
The Company has bank lines of credit for 1997 amounting to $150 million. The
credit lines require average compensating balances of 2.5 percent of the credit
lines, with interest on any borrowings to be at prevailing market rates. There
are no legal restrictions applicable to the Company's cash balances resulting
from its obligation to maintain compensating balances.
Note D Pension Benefits
The pension plans for management and bargaining unit employees cover
substantially all employees of the Company and are designed to comply with the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Contributions are made
solely by the Company based on an actuarial valuation, and are not less than the
minimum amount required by ERISA. The Company's policy is to fund the
actuarially computed net pension cost as such cost accrues subject to statutory
maximum (and minimum) limits. Benefits for management and bargaining unit
employees are generally based on a final five-year average pay formula.
In accordance with SFAS No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions," the
Company uses the projected unit credit method for determining pension cost.
Pension costs for 1996, 1995 and 1994 amounted to $73.2 million, $11.4 million
and $38.7 million, respectively, of which $57.8 million for 1996, $8.9 million
for 1995 and $30.3 million for 1994 was charged to operating expense. Pension
costs reflect the amortization of a regulatory asset established pursuant to
SFAS No. 71 to offset the $33.3 million increase in pension obligations from a
special retirement program the Company offered in 1993, which provided special
termination benefits as described in SFAS No. 88, "Employers' Accounting for
Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for
Termination Benefits." Pension cost for 1995 also includes an actuarially
determined credit of $7.3 million representing a prepayment on one of the plans.
This credit reduced pension funding in 1996.
The Company is subject to the PSC's "Statement of Policy and Order Concerning
the Accounting and Ratemaking Treatment for Pensions and Postretirement Benefits
Other Than Pensions" (the PSC Policy). The PSC Policy requires actuarial
recognition of investment gains and losses over five years and a 10-year period
for amortization of unrecognized actuarial gains and losses.
The components of net periodic pension cost for 1996, 1995 and 1994 were as
follows:
(Millions of Dollars) 1996 1995 1994
Service cost - benefits earned
during the period $120.2 $ 98.2 $ 103.9
Interest cost on projected
benefit obligation 320.1 296.7 278.2
Actual return on plan assets (593.6) (865.8) (3.4)
Unrecognized investment
gain (loss) deferred 217.6 521.6 (322.6)
Net amortization 6.7 (41.5) (17.4)
Net periodic pension cost 71.0 9.2* 38.7
Amortization of regulatory asset 2.2 2.2 --
Total pension cost $ 73.2 $ 11.4 $ 38.7
* Includes a prepayment credit of $7.3 million.
<PAGE>
60
The funded status of the pension plans as of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
was as follows:
(Millions of Dollars) 1996 1995 1994
Actuarial present value of
benefit obligation:
Vested $3,525.9 $3,319.2 $2,813.0
Nonvested 190.5 267.9 189.6
Accumulated to date 3,716.4 3,587.1 3,002.6
Effect of projected future
compensation levels 986.6 1,070.3 786.0
Total projected obligation 4,703.0 4,657.4 3,788.6
Plan assets at fair value 5,269.3 4,775.8 4,046.7
Plan assets less projected
benefit obligation 566.3 118.4 258.1
Unrecognized net gain (703.8) (240.3) (401.1)
Unrecognized prior service cost* 100.1 85.3 93.9
Unrecognized net transition
liability at January 1, 1987* 14.3 17.2 20.2
Accrued pension cost** $ (23.1) $ (19.4) $ (28.9)
* Being amortized over approximately 15 years.
**Accrued liability primarily for special retirement program, reduced in 1995 by
a prepayment credit and increased in 1996 by the application of that credit.
To determine the present value of the projected benefit obligation in 1996, 1995
and 1994, discount rates of 7.25 percent, 7 percent and 8 percent, respectively,
were assumed. A weighted average rate of increase in future compensation levels
of 5.8 percent and long-term rate of return on plan assets of 8.5 percent were
assumed for all years.
The pension plan assets consist primarily of corporate common stocks and bonds,
group annuity contracts and debt of the United States government and its
agencies.
Note E Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB)
The Company has a contributory comprehensive hospital, medical and prescription
drug program for all retirees, their dependents and surviving spouses. The
Company also provides life insurance benefits for approximately 6,400 retired
employees. All of the Company's employees become eligible for these benefits
upon retirement except that the amount of life insurance is limited and is
available only to management employees and to those bargaining unit employees
who participated in the optional program prior to retirement. The Company has
reserved the right to amend or terminate these programs. The Company's policy is
to fund in external trusts the actuarially determined annual costs for retiree
health and life insurance subject to statutory maximum limits.
The Company is subject to the PSC Policy (see Note D) which requires actuarial
recognition of investment gains and losses over five years and a 10-year period
for amortization of unrecognized actuarial gains and losses.
The cost to the Company for retiree health benefits for 1996, 1995 and 1994
amounted to $89.2 million, $65.5 million and $67.1 million, respectively, of
which $70.5 million for 1996, $51.6 million for 1995 and $52.7 million for 1994
was charged to operating expense. The cost of the retiree life insurance plan
for 1996, 1995 and 1994 amounted to $22.8 million, $18.0 million and $21.6
million, respectively, of which $18.0 million for 1996, $14.2 million for 1995
and $17.0 million for 1994 was charged to operating expense.
The components of postretirement benefit (health and life insurance) costs for
1996, 1995 and 1994 were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars) 1996 1995 1994
Service cost - benefits earned
during the period $ 17.4 $10.7 $11.5
Interest cost on accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation 68.9 61.2 56.9
Actual return on plan assets (51.3) (60.8) (8.4)
Unrecognized investment gain
(loss) deferred 23.5 40.4 (5.7)
Amortization of transition
obligation and unrecognized
net loss 53.5 32.0 34.4
Net periodic postretirement
benefit cost $112.0 $83.5 $88.7
The following table sets forth the program's funded status at December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994:
(Millions of Dollars) 1996 1995 1994
Accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation:
Retirees $471.1 $ 447.7 $413.9
Employees eligible to retire 248.8 250.7 167.2
Employees not eligible to retire 279.2 305.6 204.5
Total projected obligation 999.1 1,004.0 785.6
Plan assets at fair value 444.2 322.2 219.1
Plan assets less accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation (554.9) (681.8) (566.5)
Unrecognized net loss 139.9 240.8 11.1
Unrecognized net transition
liability at January 1, 1993* 415.0 441.0 555.4
Accrued postretirement
benefit cost $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
* Being amortized over a period of 20 years.
To determine the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation in 1996, 1995 and
1994, discount rates of 7.25 percent, 7 percent and 8 percent, respectively,
were assumed. The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets was 8.5
percent for these years. The health care cost trend rate assumed for 1996 was 9
percent, for 1997, 8.5 percent, and then declining one-half percent per year to
5 percent for 2004 and thereafter. If the assumed health care cost trend rate
were to be increased by one percentage point each year, the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation would increase by approximately $125.7 million
and the service cost and interest component of the net periodic postretirement
benefit cost would increase by $13.2 million.
<PAGE>
61
Postretirement plan assets consist of corporate common stocks and bonds, group
annuity contracts, debt of the United States government and its agencies and
short-term securities.
Note F Contingencies
Indian Point. Nuclear generating units similar in design to the Company's Indian
Point 2 unit have experienced problems that have required steam generator
replacement. Inspections of the Indian Point 2 steam generators since 1976 have
revealed various problems, some of which appear to have been arrested, but the
remaining service life of the steam generators is uncertain and may be shorter
than the unit's life. The projected service life of the steam generators is
reassessed periodically in the light of the inspections made during scheduled
outages of the unit. Based on the latest available data and current Nuclear
Regulatory Commission criteria, the Company estimates that steam generator
replacement will not be required before 1999, and possibly not until some years
later. To avoid procurement delays in the event replacement is necessary, the
Company purchased replacement steam generators, which are stored at the site. If
replacement of the steam generators is required, such replacement is presently
estimated (in 1996 dollars) to require additional expenditures of approximately
$110 million (exclusive of replacement power costs) and an outage of
approximately four months. However, securing necessary permits and approvals or
other factors could require a substantially longer outage if steam generator
replacement is required on short notice.
Nuclear Insurance. The insurance policies covering the Company's nuclear
facilities for property damage, excess property damage, and outage costs permit
assessments under certain conditions to cover insurers' losses. As of December
31, 1996 the highest amount which could be assessed for losses during the
current policy year under all of the policies was $29 million. While assessments
may also be made for losses in certain prior years, the Company is not aware of
any losses in such years which it believes are likely to result in an
assessment.
Under certain circumstances, in the event of nuclear incidents at facilities
covered by the federal government's third-party liability indemnification
program, the Company could be assessed up to $79.3 million per incident of which
not more than $10 million may be assessed in any one year. The per-incident
limit is to be adjusted for inflation not later than 1998 and not less than once
every five years thereafter.
The Company participates in an insurance program covering liabilities for
injuries to certain workers in the nuclear power industry. In the event of such
injuries, the Company is subject to assessment up to an estimated maximum of
approximately $3.1 million.
Environmental Matters. The normal course of the Company's operations necessarily
involves activities and substances that expose the Company to potential
liabilities under federal, state and local laws protecting the environment. Such
liabilities can be material and in some instances may be imposed without regard
to fault, or may be imposed for past acts, even though such past acts may have
been lawful at the time they occurred. Sources of such potential liabilities
include (but are not limited to) the Federal Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 ("Superfund"), a 1994
settlement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(DEC), asbestos, and electric and magnetic fields (EMF).
Superfund. By its terms Superfund imposes joint and several strict liability,
regardless of fault, upon generators of hazardous substances for resulting
removal and remedial costs and environmental damages. The Company has received
process or notice concerning possible claims under Superfund or similar state
statutes relating to a number of sites at which it is alleged that hazardous
substances generated by the Company (and, in most instances, a large number of
other potentially responsible parties) were deposited. Estimates of the
investigative, removal, remedial and environmental damage costs (if any) the
Company will be obligated to pay with respect to each of these sites range from
extremely preliminary to highly refined. Based on these estimates, the Company
had accrued a liability at December 31, 1996 of approximately $23.1 million.
There will be additional costs with respect to these and possibly other sites,
the materiality of which is not presently determinable.
DEC Settlement. In 1994 the Company agreed to a consent order settling a civil
administrative proceeding instituted by the DEC alleging environmental
violations by the Company. Pursuant to the consent order, the Company has
conducted an environmental management systems evaluation and is conducting an
environmental compliance audit. The Company also must implement "best management
practices" plans for certain facilities and undertake a remediation program at
certain sites. At December 31, 1996 the Company had an accrued liability of
$17.3 million for these sites. Expenditures for environment-related projects in
the five years 1997-2001, including expenditures to comply with the consent
order, are currently estimated at $147 million. There will be additional costs,
including costs arising out of the compliance audit, the materiality of which is
not presently determinable.
Asbestos Claims. Suits have been brought in New York State and federal courts
against the Company and many other defendants, wherein several hundred
plaintiffs sought large amounts of compensatory and punitive damages for deaths
and injuries allegedly caused by exposure to asbestos at various premises of the
Company. Many of these suits have been disposed of without any payment by the
Company, or for immaterial amounts. The amounts specified in all the remaining
suits total billions of dollars but the Company believes that these amounts are
greatly exaggerated, as were the claims already disposed of. Based on the
information and relevant circumstances known to the Company at this time, it is
the opinion of the Company that these suits will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial position.
EMF. Electric and magnetic fields are found wherever electricity is used. The
Company is the defendant in several suits claiming property damage or personal
injury allegedly resulting from EMF. In the event that a causal relationship
between EMF and adverse health effects is established, or independently of any
such causal determination, in the event of adverse developments in related legal
or public policy doctrines, there could be a material adverse effect on the
electric utility industry, including the Company.
<PAGE>
62
Note G Non-Utility Generators (NUGs)
The Company has contracts with NUGs for approximately 2,100 MW of electric
generating capacity. Under the 1995 electric rate agreement, payments by the
Company under the contracts are reflected in rates. Assuming performance by the
NUGs, the Company is obligated over the terms of these contracts (which extend
for various periods, up to 2036) to make capacity and other fixed (non-energy)
payments. In addition, for energy delivered under certain of these contracts,
the Company is obligated to pay variable prices that will exceed market prices
for energy.
Capacity and other fixed (non-energy) payments under these contracts are
estimated for 1997-2001 to be $336 million, $340 million, $356 million, $413
million and $419 million. Such payments gradually increase to approximately $500
million in 2013, and thereafter decline significantly.
Energy payments under the contracts for 1997-1999 (assuming performance by the
NUGs) will exceed market prices by an average estimated $200 million each year.
Beginning in the year 2000, the prices that the Company will be obligated to pay
for energy will approximate market levels.
Note H Stock-Based Compensation
Under the 1996 Stock Option Plan, options may be granted to officers and key
employees for up to 10,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. In May 1996
the Company granted options for 704,200 shares at an exercise price of $27.875
per share. These options become exercisable three years after the grant date and
generally remain exercisable until ten years from the grant date.
As permitted by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," the
Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB 25) and related interpretations
in accounting for its employee stock options. Under APB 25, because the exercise
price of the Company's employee stock options equals the market price of the
underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized.
Disclosure of pro-forma information regarding net income and earnings per share
is required by SFAS No. 123. This information has been determined as if the
Company had accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method
of that statement. The fair value of these options, $2.49 per share, was
estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with
the following weighted-average assumptions for grants in 1996: risk-free
interest rate of 6.74%; expected life of eight years; expected volatility of
16.28%; and a dividend yield of 7.46%.
Had the Company used SFAS No. 123, earnings per share for 1996 would be
unaffected and pro-forma net income for common stock would be $687,938,000, or
$231,000 less than the amount reported.
Note I Federal Income Tax
The net revenue requirements for the future federal income tax component of
accumulated deferred federal income taxes (see Note A) at December 31, 1996 and
1995 are shown on the following table:
(Millions of Dollars) 1996 1995
Future federal income tax liability
Temporary differences between the book
and tax bases of assets and
liabilities:
Property related $5,595.0 $ 5,513.3
Reserve for injuries and damages (55.7) (49.2)
Other 16.7 54.5
Total 5,556.0 5,518.6
Future federal income tax computed
at statutory rate - 35% 1,944.6 1,931.5
Less: Accumulated deferred federal income
taxes previously recovered 1,304.8 1,254.0
Net future federal income tax expense
to be recovered 639.8 677.5
Net revenue requirements for above
(Regulatory asset-future federal
income taxes)* 984.3 1,042.3
Add: Accumulated deferred federal income
taxes previously recovered
Depreciation 1,115.5 1,046.8
Unbilled revenues (94.6) (87.1)
Advance refunding of long-term debt 32.7 32.4
Other 251.2 261.9
Subtotal 1,304.8 1,254.0
Total accumulated deferred
federal income tax $2,289.1 $2,296.3
* Net revenue requirements will be offset by the amortization to federal
income tax expense of accumulated deferred investment tax credits, the tax
benefits of which the Company has already realized. Including the full effect
therefrom, the net revenue requirements related to future federal income taxes
at December 31, 1996 and 1995 are $811.8 million and $860.8 million,
respectively.
<PAGE>
63
<TABLE>
Note I Federal Income Tax, continued
Year Ended December 31 (Thousands of Dollars) 1996 1995 1994
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Charged to: Operations $ 397,160 $ 396,560 $ 438,160
Other Income (970) 1,060 430
Total federal income tax 396,190 397,620 438,590
Reconciliation of reported net income
with taxable income
Federal income tax - current 355,590 328,600 374,500
Federal income tax - deferred 49,510 78,330 73,710
Investment tax credits deferred (8,910) (9,310) (9,620)
Total federal income tax 396,190 397,620 438,590
Net income 694,085 723,850 734,270
Income before federal income tax 1,090,275 1,121,470 1,172,860
Effective federal income tax rate 36.3% 35.5% 37.4%
Adjustments decreasing (increasing)
taxable income
Tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation:
Amounts subject to normalization 201,760 202,230 218,181
Other (99,576) (85,538) (94,813)
Deferred recoverable fuel costs 42,008 61,937 (20,132)
Regulatory accounts receivable 51,878 (32,827) (70,771)
Excess research and development (13,025) (2,969) (1,284)
Pension and other postretirement benefit (34,136) 38,102 3,535
Power contract termination costs (38,759) (56,397) 77,699
Other - net (45,729) 25,356 (12,824)
Total 64,421 149,894 99,591
Taxable income 1,025,854 971,576 1,073,269
Federal income tax - current
Amount computed at statutory rate - 35% 359,049 340,052 375,644
Tax credits (3,459) (11,452) (1,144)
Total 355,590 328,600 374,500
Charged to: Operations 357,000 328,200 374,160
Other Income (1,410) 400 340
Total 355,590 328,600 374,500
Federal income tax - deferred
Charged to: Operations 49,070 77,670 73,620
Other Income 440 660 90
Total $ 49,510 $ 78,330 $ 73,710
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
64
Note J Financial Information by Business Segments (a)
<TABLE>
Electric Steam
(Thousands of Dollars) 1996 1995 1994 1996 1995 1994
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues .... $5,552,247 $5,401,524 $5,152,351 $ 405,040 $ 335,694 $ 343,916
Operating expenses
Purchased power ........ 1,269,092 1,107,223 787,455 3,762 -- --
Fuel ................... 377,351 354,086 410,173 195,924 150,018 157,591
Other operations
and maintenance* ... 1,331,801 1,372,715 1,372,865 83,837 79,929 80,035
Depreciation and
amortization ....... 425,397 393,382 364,988 15,900 13,064 10,961
Taxes, other than
federal income ..... 980,309 951,095 955,850 51,361 45,788 46,178
Federal income tax ..... 330,103 339,863 379,584 14,131 12,598 11,577
Total operating
expenses* .......... 4,714,053 4,518,364 4,270,915 364,915 301,397 306,342
Operating income ....... 838,194 883,160 881,436 40,125 34,297 37,574
Construction
expenditures ....... 515,006 538,454 587,189 38,290 27,559 44,957
Net utility plant** .... 9,150,261 9,027,031 8,874,341 458,019 399,028 378,748
Fuel ................... 64,231 40,444 50,821 478 62 62
Other identifiable
assets ............. 1,703,906 1,724,005 1,899,182 42,817 51,969 48,141
*Intersegment rentals included in segments' income but eliminated for total Company
Operating revenues $ 11,130 $ 12,116 $ 11,879 $ 1,491 $ 1,561 $ 1,409
Operating expenses 2,472 2,513 2,331 12,190 13,102 12,733
Gas Total Company
1996 1995 1994 1996 1995 1994
Operating revenues* $1,017,124 $ 815,307 $ 891,897 $ 6,959,736 $ 6,536,897 $ 6,373,086
Operating expenses
Purchased power ....... -- -- -- 1,272,854 1,107,223 787,455
Fuel .................. -- -- -- 573,275 504,104 567,764
Gas purchased
for resale ........ 418,271 259,789 341,204 418,271 259,789 341,204
Other operations
and maintenance* .. 221,011 214,818 214,451 1,621,974 1,651,834 1,652,273
Depreciation and
amortization ...... 55,115 49,330 46,407 496,412 455,776 422,356
Taxes, other than
federal income .... 134,529 123,349 125,663 1,166,199 1,120,232 1,127,691
Federal income tax .... 52,926 44,099 46,999 397,160 396,560 438,160
Total operating
expenses* ......... 881,852 691,385 774,724 5,946,145 5,495,518 5,336,903
Operating income ...... 135,272 123,922 117,173 1,013,591 1,041,379 1,036,183
Construction
expenditures ...... 121,937 126,790 125,384 675,233 692,803 757,530
Net utility plant** ... 1,459,030 1,388,344 1,308,119 11,067,310 10,814,403 10,561,208
Fuel and gas
in storage ........ 44,979 26,452 50,698 109,688 66,958 101,581
Other identifiable
assets ............ 197,033 177,374 151,628 1,943,756 1,953,348 2,098,951
Other corporate assets 936,431 1,115,181 966,624
Total assets $14,057,185 $13,949,890 $13,728,364
* Intersegment rentals included in segments' income but eliminated for total Company
Operating revenues $ 2,054 $ 1,951 $ 1,790 $ 14,675 $ 15,628 $ 15,078
Operating expenses 13 13 14 14,675 15,628 15,078
**General Utility Plant was allocated to Electric and Gas on the basis of the
departmental use of such plant. Pursuant to PSC requirements the Steam
department is charged an interdepartmental rent for General Plant used in Steam
operations which is credited to the Electric and Gas departments.
</TABLE>
(a) The Company supplies electric service in all of New York City (except part
of Queens) and most of Westchester County. It also supplies gas in Manhattan,
The Bronx and parts of Queens and Westchester, and steam in part of Manhattan.
<PAGE>
65
SCHEDULE VIII
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E
Additions
(1) (2)
Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at
Beginning Costs and Other End of
Description of Period Expenses Accounts Deductions Period
Valuation Accounts
deducted in the
balance sheet from
the assets to
which they apply:
Accumulated Provision
for uncollectible
accounts receivable:
Electric, Gas and
Steam Customers $ 21,600 $ 30,771 - $ 30,771* $ 21,600
Other - - - - -
*Accounts written off less cash collections, miscellaneous adjustments and
amounts reinstated as receivables previously written off.
<PAGE>
66
SCHEDULE VIII
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
(Thousands of Dollars)
COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E
Additions
(1) (2)
Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at
Beginning Costs and Other End of
Description of Period Expenses Accounts Deductions Period
Valuation Accounts
deducted in the
balance sheet from
the assets to
which they apply:
Accumulated Provision
for uncollectible
accounts receivable:
Electric, Gas and
Steam Customers $ 21,600 $ 32,589 - $ 32,589* $ 21,600
Other - - - - -
*Accounts written off less cash collections, miscellaneous adjustments and
amounts reinstated as receivables previously written off.
<PAGE>
67
SCHEDULE VIII
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
(Thousands of Dollars)
COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E
Additions
(1) (2)
Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at
Beginning Costs and Other End of
Description of Period Expenses Accounts Deductions Period
Valuation Accounts
deducted in the
balance sheet from
the assets to
which they apply:
Accumulated Provision
for uncollectible
accounts receivable:
Electric, Gas and
Steam Customers $ 21,600 $ 30,256 - $ 30,256* $ 21,600
Other - - - - -
*Accounts written off less cash collections, miscellaneous adjustments and
amounts reinstated as receivables previously written off.
<PAGE>
68
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
NONE.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE
REGISTRANT
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Information required by Part III is incorporated by reference from the
Company's definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to
be held on May 19, 1997. The proxy statement is to be filed pursuant to
Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after December 31, 1996, the close of the
fiscal year covered by this report.
In accordance with General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, other
information regarding the Company's Executive Officers may be found in Part I of
this report under the caption "Executive Officers of the Registrant."
<PAGE>
69
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND
REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Documents filed as part of this report:
1. List of Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 1996 and 1995
Consolidated Income Statement for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
Consolidated Statement of Capitalization at December 31,
1996 and 1995
Consolidated Statement of Retained Earnings for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. List of Financial Statement Schedules
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Schedule VIII)
<PAGE>
70
3. List of Exhibits
3.1.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the
Department of State of the State of New York on December 31, 1984.
(Designated in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1989 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 3(a).)
3.1.2 Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
Incorporation filed with the Department of State of the State of New
York on May 16, 1988. (Designated in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989 (File No. 1-1217) as
Exhibit 3(b).)
3.1.3 Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
Incorporation filed with the Department of State of the State of New
York on June 2, 1989. (Designated in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989 (File No. 1-1217) as
Exhibit 3(c).)
3.1.4 Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
Incorporation filed with the Department of State of the State of New
York on April 28, 1992. (Designated in the Company's Current Report
on Form 8-K, dated April 24, 1992, (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit
4(d).)
3.1.5 Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
Incorporation filed with the Department of State of the State of New
York on August 21, 1992. (Designated in the Company's Current Report
on Form 8-K, dated August 20, 1992, (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit
4(e).)
*3.2 By-laws of the Company, effective as of January 1, 1997.
4.1 Participation Agreement, dated as of August 15, 1985, between
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
and the Company. (Designated in the Company's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1990 (File No.
1-1217) as Exhibit 4(a)(1).)
<PAGE>
71
4.2 The following Supplemental Participation Agreements
supplementing the Participation Agreement, dated as of August 15,
1985, between NYSERDA and the Company, which are designated as
follows:
Supplemental Securities Exchange Act
Participation Agreement File No. 1-1217
Number Date Form Date Exhibit
1. First 11/15/86 10-Q 6/30/90 4(a)(2)
2. Second 4/15/87 10-Q 6/30/90 4(a)(3)
3. Third 9/15/87 10-Q 6/30/90 4(a)(4)
4. Fourth 1/1/89 10-Q 6/30/90 4(a)(5)
5. Fifth 7/1/89 10-Q 6/30/90 4(a)(6)
6. Sixth 11/1/89 10-Q 6/30/90 4(a)(7)
7. Seventh 7/1/90 10-Q 6/30/90 4(a)(8)
8. Eighth 1/1/91 10-K 12/31/90 4(e)(8)
9. Ninth 1/15/92 10-K 12/31/91 4(e)(9)
4.3 Participation Agreement, dated as of December 1, 1992,
between NYSERDA and the Company. (Designated in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992 (File No.
1-1217) as Exhibit 4(f).)
4.4 The following Supplemental Participation Agreements
supplementing the Participation Agreement, dated as of December 1,
1992, between NYSERDA and the Company, which are designated as
follows:
Supplemental Securities Exchange Act
Participation Agreement File No. 1-1217
Number Date Form Date Exhibit
1. First 3/15/93 10-Q 6/30/93 4.1
2. Second 10/1/93 10-Q 9/30/93 4.3
3. Third 12/1/94 10-K 12/31/94 4.7.3
4. Fourth 7/1/95 10-Q 6/30/95 4.2
4.5 Indenture of Trust, dated as of August 15, 1985, between NYSERDA
and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Trustee (Morgan
Guaranty). (Designated in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1990 (File No. 1-1217)
as Exhibit 4(b)(1).)
<PAGE>
72
4.6 The following Supplemental Indentures of Trust supplementing the
Indenture of Trust, dated as of August 15, 1985, between NYSERDA and
Morgan Guaranty.
Supplemental Securities Exchange Act
Indenture of Trust File No. 1-1217
Number Date Form Date Exhibit
1 . First 11/15/86 10-Q 6/30/90 4(b)(2)
2. Second 4/15/87 10-Q 6/30/90 4(b)(3)
3. Third 9/15/87 10-Q 6/30/90 4(b)(4)
4. Fourth 1/1/89 10-Q 6/30/90 4(b)(5)
5. Fifth 7/1/89 10-Q 6/30/90 4(b)(6)
6. Sixth 11/1/89 10-Q 6/30/90 4(b)(7)
7. Seventh 7/1/90 10-Q 6/30/90 4(b)(8)
8. Eighth 1/1/91 10-K 12/31/90 4(g)(8)
9. Ninth 1/15/92 10-K 12/31/91 4(g)(9)
4.7 Indenture of Trust, dated as of December 1, 1992, between
NYSERDA and Morgan Guaranty. (Designated in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992 (File No.
1-1217) as Exhibit 4(i).)
4.8 The following Supplemental Indentures of Trust supplementing the
Indenture of Trust, dated as of December 1, 1992, between NYSERDA
and Morgan Guaranty.
Supplemental Securities Exchange Act
Indenture of Trust File No. 1-1217
Number Date Form Date Exhibit
1. First 3/15/93 10-Q 6/30/93 4.2
2. Second 10/1/93 10-Q 9/30/93 4.4
3. Third 12/1/94 10-K 12/31/94 4.11.3
4. Fourth 7/1/95 10-Q 6/30/95 4.3
4.9 Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1990, between the Company and
The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), as Trustee (the
"Debenture Indenture"). (Designated in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990 (File No. 1-1217)
as Exhibit 4(h).)
4.10 First Supplemental Indenture (to the Debenture Indenture),
dated as of March 6, 1996, between the Company and The Chase
Manhattan Bank (National Association), as Trustee. (Designated in
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1995 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 4.13.)
<PAGE>
73
4.11 The following Forms of the Company's Debentures:
Securities Exchange Act
File No. 1-1217
Debenture Form Date Exhibit
7 3/8%, Series 1992 A 8-K 2/5/92 4(a)
7 5/8%, Series 1992 B 8-K 2/5/92 4(b)
7.60%, Series 1992 C 8-K 2/25/92 4
6 1/2%, Series 1992 D 8-K 8/26/92 4(a)
7 3/8%, Series 1992 E 8-K 8/26/92 4(b)
8.05%, Series 1992 F 8-K 12/15/92 4
6 1/4%, Series 1993 A 8-K 1/13/93 4
6 1/2%, Series 1993 B 8-K 2/4/93 4(a)
6 5/8%, Series 1993 C 8-K 2/4/93 4(b)
6 3/8%, Series 1993 D 8-K 4/7/93 4
5.30%, Series 1993 E 8-K 5/19/93 4(a)
5.70%, Series 1993 F 8-K 5/19/93 4(b)
7 1/2%, Series 1993 G 8-K 6/7/93 4
7 1/8%, Series 1994 A 8-K 2/8/94 4
Floating Rate Series 1994 B 8-K 6/29/94 4
6 5/8%, Series 1995 A 8-K 6/21/95 4
7 3/4%, Series 1996 A 8-K 4/24/96 4
Floating Rate Series 1996 B 8-K 11/25/96 4
4.12 Form of the Company's 7 3/4% Quarterly Income
Capital Securities (Series A Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debentures). (Designated in the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 29, 1996,
(File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 4.)
10.1 Agreement dated as of October 31, 1968 among
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, the Company
and Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. (Designated in
Registration Statement No. 2-31884 as Exhibit 7.)
10.2 Amendment dated November 23, 1976 to Agreement dated as of
October 31, 1968 among Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation,
the Company and Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and Additional
Agreement dated as of November 23, 1976 between Central Hudson and
the Company. (Designated in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1991 (File No.1-1217) as Exhibit
10(b).)
10.3 General Agreement between Orange and Rockland
Utilities, Inc. and the Company dated October 10, 1969.
(Designated in Registration Statement No. 2-35734 as
Exhibit 7-1.)
10.4 Letters, dated November 18, 1970 and November 23,
1970, between Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. and
the Company pursuant to Article 14(a) of the aforesaid
General Agreement. (Designated in Registration
Statement No. 2-38807 as Exhibit 5-3.)
<PAGE>
74
*10.5 The Con Edison Thrift Savings Plan for Management
Employees and Tax Reduction Act Stock Ownership Plan, as
amended and restated.
10.6 Deferred Compensation Plan for the Benefit of Trustees of the
Company, dated February 27, 1979, and amendments thereto, dated
September 19, 1979 (effective February 27, 1979), February 26, 1980,
and November 24, 1992 (effective January 1, 1993). (Designated in
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1992 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10(i).)
10.7 Employment contract, dated August 24, 1982, between the Company
and Arthur Hauspurg, as amended. (Designated in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991(File No.
1-1217) as Exhibit 10(i).)
10.8 Agreement, dated January 24, 1991, between the Company and
Arthur Hauspurg. (Designated in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990 (File No. 1-1217) as
Exhibit 10(l).)
10.9 Employment Contract, dated May 22, 1990, between the Company
and Eugene R. McGrath. (Designated in the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1990 (File No.
1-1217) as Exhibit 10.)
10.10 Amendment, dated August 27, 1991, to Employment Contract dated
May 22, 1990, between the Company and Eugene R. McGrath. (Designated
in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended September 30, 1991 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit
19.)
10.11 Amendment, dated August 25, 1992, to Employment Contract,
dated May 22, 1990, between the Company and Eugene R. McGrath.
(Designated in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended September 30, 1992 (File No. 1-1217) s
Exhibit 19.)
10.12 Amendment, dated February 18, 1993, to Employment Contract
dated May 22, 1990, between the Company and Eugene R. McGrath.
(Designated in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1992 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10(o).)
10.13 Amendment, dated August 24, 1993, to Employment Contract dated
May 22, 1990, between the Company and Eugene R. McGrath. (Designated
in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended September 30, 1993 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit
10.1.)
<PAGE>
75
10.14 Amendment, dated August 24, 1994, to Employment Contract,
dated May 22, 1990, between the Company and Eugene R. McGrath.
(Designated in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended September 30, 1994 (File No. 1-1217) as
Exhibit 10.1.)
10.15 Amendment, dated August 22, 1995, to Employment Contract,
dated May 22, 1990, between the Company and Eugene R. McGrath.
(Designated as in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarterly period ended September 30, 1995 (File No. 1-1217) as
Exhibit 10.3.)
10.16 Amendment, dated July 23, 1996, to Employment Contract, dated
May 22, 1990, between the Company and Eugene R. McGrath. (Designated
as in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended June 30, 1996 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10.2.)
10.17 The Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. Executive
Incentive Plan adopted by the Company's Board of Trustees on March
23, 1982 as amended through March 30, 1989. (Designated in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1991, (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10(q).)
10.18 Amendment and Restatement, dated August 26, 1991 and effective
as of April 30, 1991, of The Consolidated Edison Company of New
York, Inc. Executive Incentive Plan. (Designated in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991
(File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10(r).)
10.19 Amendment and Restatement, dated January 29, 1992
and effective as of December 1, 1991, of The
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. Executive
Incentive Plan. (Designated in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991
(File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10(s).)
10.20 The Consolidated Edison Retirement Plan for
Management Employees, as amended and restated.
(Designated in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1995
(File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10.1.)
10.21 Amendment No. 1, dated December 29, 1995, to the
Consolidated Edison Retirement Plan for Management
Employees. (Designated in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 (File No.
1-1217) as Exhibit 10.29.)
<PAGE>
76
*10.22 Amendment No. 2, dated July 1,1996, to the
Consolidated Edison Retirement Plan for Management Employees.
10.23 Con Edison Supplemental Retirement Income Plan, adopted July
22, 1987, effective January 1, 1987. (Designated in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992
(File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10(cc).)
*10.24 Amendment No. 1, dated March 21,1997, to the Con
Edison Supplemental Retirement Income Plan.
10.25 Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. Retirement Plan
for Trustees, effective as of July 1, 1988. (Designated in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1992 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10(ee).)
10.26 Amendment No. 1, dated September 28, 1990, to the
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. Retirement
Plan for Trustees. (Designated in the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended September 30, 1990 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 19(c).)
10.27 Planning and Supply Agreement, dated March 10, 1989, between
the Company and the Power Authority of the State of New York.
(Designated in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1992 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10(gg).)
10.28 Delivery Service Agreement, dated March 10, 1989, between the
Company and the Power Authority of the State of New York.
(Designated in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1992 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10(hh).)
10.29 Supplemental Medical Plan for the Benefit of the
Company's officers. (Designated in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991
(File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10(aa).)
10.30 The Con Edison Discount Stock Purchase Plan.
(Designated in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1991 (File No. 1-1217)
as Exhibit 10(bb).)
10.31 Amendment, dated December 29, 1995, to the Con
Edison Discount Stock Purchase Plan. (Designated in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10.38.)
10.32 Employment Agreement, dated June 25, 1991, between
the Company and J. Michael Evans. (Designated in the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended June 30, 1991 (File No. 1-1217)
as Exhibit 19.)
<PAGE>
77
10.33 Amendment, dated March 29, 1993, to Employment
Agreement, dated June 25, 1991, between the Company and
J. Michael Evans. (Designated in the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended March 31, 1993 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10.)
10.34 Amendment, dated November 8, 1993, to Employment
Agreement, dated June 25, 1991, between the Company and
J. Michael Evans. (Designated in the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended September 30, 1993 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10.2.)
10.35 The Consolidated Edison Retiree Health Program for
Management Employees, effective as of January 1, 1993.
(Designated in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1992 (File No. 1-1217)
as Exhibit 10(ll).)
10.36 Amendment No. 1, dated October 31, 1994, to the
Consolidated Edison Retiree Health Program for
Management Employees. (Designated in the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended September 30, 1994(File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10.3.)
10.37 Amendment No. 2, dated December 28, 1994, to the
Consolidated Edison Retiree Health Program for
Management Employees. (Designated in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1995 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10.44.)
10.38 Amendment No. 3, dated December 29, 1995, to the
Consolidated Edison Retiree Health Program for
Management Employees. (Designated in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1995 (File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10.45.)
*10.39 Amendment No. 4, dated July 1, 1996, to the
Consolidated Edison Retiree Health Program for
Management Employees.
10.40 Employment Agreement, dated November 28, 1995, between the
Company and Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. (Designated in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 (File No.
1-1217) as Exhibit 10.46.)
10.41 Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. 1996
Stock Option Plan. (Designated in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995
(File No. 1-1217) as Exhibit 10.47.)
10.42 Agreement and Settlement, dated March 12, 1997, between the
Company and the Staff of the New York State Public Service
Commission (without Appendices). (Designated in the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 13, 1997, (File No. 1-1217)
as Exhibit 10.)
<PAGE>
78
*12 Statement of computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges
for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992.
*23 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.
*24 Powers of Attorney of each of the persons signing
this report by attorney-in-fact.
*27 Financial Data Schedule. (To the extent provided in Rule 402 of
Regulation S-T, this exhibit shall not be deemed "filed", or
otherwise subject to liabilities, or be deemed part of a
registration statement.)
Exhibits listed above which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, and which were designated as noted above, are hereby incorporated
by reference and made a part of this report with the same effect as if filed
with the report.
- --------------------
* Filed herewith
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
The Company filed Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated October 1, 1996 and
March 13, 1997, reporting (under Item 5) matters discussed under "Liquidity and
Capital Resources - Competition and Industry Restructuring and PSC Settlement
Agreement" in Item 7. The Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated
November 25, 1996, reporting (under Item 5) the December 12, 1996 sale of $150
million aggregate principal amount of its Floating Rate Debentures, Series 1996
B and the November 25, 1996 rejection by the Supreme Court of the State of New
York, Albany County, of a challenge by the Company and other utilities to the
May 1996 PSC order discussed under "Liquidity and Capital Resources Competition
and Industry Restructuring and PSC Settlement Agreement" in Item 7. The Company
filed no other Current Reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended December 31,
1996.
<PAGE>
79
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
Date: March 28, 1997 By Joan S. Freilich
Joan S. Freilich
Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date Signature Title
March 28, 1997 Eugene R. McGrath* Chairman of the Board,
President, Chief Executive
Officer and Trustee
(Principal Executive Officer)
March 28, 1997 Joan S. Freilich* Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
March 28, 1997 John F. Cioffi* Vice President, Controller
and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
E. Virgil Conway* Trustee
Ruth M. Davis* Trustee
Ellen V. Futter* Trustee
Arthur Hauspurg* Trustee
Sally Hernandez-Pinero* Trustee
Peter W. Likins* Trustee
Donald K. Ross* Trustee
Robert G. Schwartz* Trustee
Richard A. Voell* Trustee
Myles V. Whalen, Jr.* Trustee
March 28, 1997 *By Joan S. Freilich Attorney-in-Fact
Joan S. Freilich
BY-LAWS
OF
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY
OF NEW YORK, INC.
Effective as of January 1, 1997
SECTION 1. The annual meeting of stockholders of the Company for the
election of Trustees and such other business as may properly come before such
meeting shall be held on the third Monday in May in each year at such hour and
at such place in the City of New York or the County of Westchester as may be
designated by the Board of Trustees.
SECTION 2. Special meetings of the stockholders of the Company may be held
upon call of the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, the
President, the Board of Trustees, or stockholders holding one-fourth of the
outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at such meeting.
SECTION 3. Notice of the time and place of every meeting of stockholders,
the purpose of such meeting and, in case of a special meeting, the person or
persons by or at whose direction the meeting is being called, shall be mailed by
the Secretary, or other officer performing his duties, at least ten days, but
not more than fifty days, before the meeting to each stockholder of record, at
his last known Post Office address; provided, however, that if a stockholder be
present at a meeting, in person or by proxy, without protesting prior to the
conclusion of the meeting the lack of notice of such meeting, or in writing
waives notice thereof before or after the meeting, the mailing to such
stockholder of notice of such meeting is unnecessary.
SECTION 4. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock of
the Company, entitled to vote at a meeting, present in person or by proxy shall
constitute a quorum, but less than a quorum shall have power to adjourn.
SECTION 5. The Chairman of the Board, or in his absence the Vice Chairman
of the Board, or in his absence the President shall preside over all meetings of
stockholders. In their absence one of the Vice Presidents shall preside over
such meetings. The Secretary of the Board of Trustees shall act as Secretary of
such meeting, if present. In his absence, the Chairman of the meeting may
appoint any person to act as Secretary of the meeting.
<PAGE>
SECTION 6. At each meeting of stockholders at which votes are to be taken by
ballot there shall be at least two and not more than five inspectors of election
and of stockholders' votes, who shall be either designated prior to such meeting
by the Board of Trustees or, in the absence of such designation, appointed by
the Chairman of the meeting.
SECTION 7. Transfer of shares of stock of the Company will be registered
on the books of the Company maintained for that purpose upon presentation of
share certificates appropriately endorsed. The Board of Trustees may, in their
discretion, appoint one or more registrars of the stock.
SECTION 8. The affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction
of a Board consisting of thirteen Trustees, who shall be elected annually by the
stockholders by ballot and shall hold office until their successors are elected
and qualified. Vacancies in the Board of Trustees may be filled by the Board at
any meeting, but if the number of Trustees is increased or decreased by the
Board by an amendment of this section of the By-laws, such amendment shall
require the vote of a majority of the whole Board. Members of the Board of
Trustees shall be entitled to receive such reasonable fees or other forms of
compensation, on a per diem, annual or other basis, as may be fixed by
resolution of the Board of Trustees or the stockholders in respect of their
services as such, including attendance at meetings of the Board and its
committees; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed
as precluding any Trustee from serving the Company in any capacity other than as
a member of the Board or a committee thereof and receiving compensation for such
other services.
SECTION 9. Meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be held at the time and
place fixed by resolution of the Board or upon call of the Chairman of the
Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, the President, or a Vice President or any
two Trustees. The Secretary of the Board or officer performing his duties shall
give 24 hours' notice of all meetings of Trustees; provided that a meeting may
be held without notice immediately after the annual election of Trustees, and
notice need not be given of regular meetings held at times fixed by resolution
of the Board. Meetings may be held at any time without notice if all the
Trustees are present and none protests the lack of notice either prior to the
meeting or at its commencement, or if those not present waive notice either
before or after the meeting. Notice by mailing or telegraphing, or delivering by
hand, to the usual business address or residence of the Trustee not less than
the time above specified before the meeting shall be sufficient. A Majority of
the Trustees in office shall constitute a quorum, but less than such quorum
shall have power to adjourn. The Chairman of the Board or, in his absence the
Vice Chairman of the Board or, in his absence a Chairman pro tem elected by the
meeting from among the Trustees present shall preside at all meetings of the
Board. Any one or more members of the Board may participate in a special meeting
of the Board by means of a conference telephone or similar communications
equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other
at the same time. Participation
<PAGE>
by such means shall constitute presence in person at such special meeting. Any
action required or permitted to be taken by the Board may be taken without a
meeting if all members of the Board consent in writing to the adoption of a
resolution authorizing the action; provided, however, that no action taken by
the Board by unanimous written consent shall be taken in lieu of a regular
monthly meeting of the Board. Each resolution so adopted and the written
consents thereto by the members of the Board shall be filed with the minutes of
the proceedings of the Board.
SECTION 10. The Board of Trustees, as soon as may be after the election of
Trustees in each year, shall elect from their number a Chairman of the Board,
who shall be the chief executive officer of the Company, and shall elect a Vice
Chairman of the Board and a President. The Board shall also elect one or more
Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and may from time to time elect
such other officers as they may deem proper. Any two or more offices may be held
by the same person, except the offices of President and Secretary.
SECTION 11. The term of office of all officers shall be until the next
election of Trustees and until their respective successors are chosen and
qualify, but any officer may be removed from office at any time by the Board of
Trustees. Vacancies among the officers may be filled by the Board of Trustees at
any meeting.
SECTION 12. The Chairman of the Board and the President shall have such
duties as usually pertain to their respective offices, except as otherwise
directed by the Board of Trustees or the Executive Committee, and shall also
have such powers and duties as may from time to time be conferred upon them by
the Board of Trustees or the Executive Committee. The Vice Chairman of the Board
shall have such powers and duties as may from time to time be conferred upon him
by the Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee or the Chairman of the Board.
In the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of
the Board shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chairman of
the Board. The Vice Presidents and the other officers of the Company shall have
such duties as usually pertain to their respective offices, except as otherwise
directed by the Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the
Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board or the President, and shall also have such
powers and duties as may from time to time be conferred upon them by the Board
of Trustees, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Vice
Chairman of the Board or the President.
SECTION 13. The Board of Trustees, as soon as may be after the election of
Trustees in each year, may by a resolution passed by a majority of the whole
Board, appoint an Executive Committee, to consist of the Chairman of the Board
(and in his absence the Vice Chairman of the Board) and three or more additional
Trustees as the Board may from time to time determine, which shall have and may
exercise during the intervals between the meetings of the Board all the powers
vested in the Board except that neither the Executive Committee nor any other
committee appointed pursuant to this section of the By-laws shall have authority
as to any of the following
<PAGE>
matters: the submission to stockholders of any action as to which stockholders'
authorization is required by law; the filling of vacancies on the Board or on
any committee thereof; the fixing of compensation of any Trustee for serving on
the Board or on any committee thereof; the amendment or repeal of these By-laws,
or the adoption of new By-laws; and the amendment or repeal of any resolution of
the Board which by its terms shall not be so amendable or repealable. The Board
shall have the power at any time to change the membership of such Executive
Committee and to fill vacancies in it. The Executive Committee may make rules
for the conduct of its business and may appoint such committees and assistants
as it may deem necessary. Four members of said Executive Committee shall
constitute a quorum. The Chairman of the Board or, in his absence a Chairman pro
tem elected by the meeting from among the members of the Executive Committee
present shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee. The Board may
designate one or more Trustees as alternate members of any committee appointed
pursuant to this section of the By-laws who may replace any absent member or
members at any meeting of such committee. The Board of Trustees may also from
time to time appoint other committees consisting of three or more Trustees with
such powers as may be granted to them by the Board of Trustees, subject to the
restrictions contained in this section of the By-laws. Any one or more members
of any committee appointed pursuant to this section may participate in any
meeting of such committee by means of a conference telephone or similar
communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to
hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute
presence in person at such meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken
by any committee appointed pursuant to this section may be taken without a
meeting if all members of such committee consent in writing to the adoption of a
resolution authorizing the action. Each resolution so adopted and the written
consents thereto by the members of such committee shall be filed with the
minutes of the proceedings of such committee.
SECTION 14. The Board of Trustees are authorized to select such
depositories as they shall deem proper for the funds of the Company. All checks
and drafts against such deposited funds shall be signed by such person or
persons and in such manner as may be specified by the Board of Trustees.
SECTION 15. The Company shall fully indemnify in all circumstances to the
extent not prohibited by law any person made, or threatened to be made, a party
to an action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, including an
investigative, administrative or legislative proceeding, and including an action
by or in the right of the Company or any other corporation of any type or kind,
domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit
plan or other enterprise, by reason of the fact that he, his testator or
intestate, is or was a Trustee or officer of the Company, or is or was serving
at the request of the Company any other corporation of any type or kind,
domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit
plan or other enterprise, as a director, officer or in any other capacity
against any and all judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement, and expenses,
<PAGE>
including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred as a result of or in
connection with any such action or proceeding or related appeal; provided,
however, that no indemnification shall be made to or on behalf of any Trustee,
director or officer if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the
Trustee, director or officer establishes that his acts were committed in bad
faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and were material
to the cause of action so adjudicated, or that he personally gained in fact a
financial profit or other advantage to which he was not legally entitled; and,
except in the case of an action or proceeding specifically approved by the Board
of Trustees, the Company shall pay expenses incurred by or on behalf of such a
person in defending such a civil or criminal action or proceeding (including
appeals) in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding
promptly upon receipt by the Company, from time to time, of a written demand of
such person for such advancement, together with an undertaking by or on behalf
of such person to repay any expenses so advanced to the extent that the person
receiving the advancement is ultimately found not to be entitled to
indemnification for such expenses; and the right to indemnification and
advancement of defense expenses granted by or pursuant to this by-law (i) shall
not limit or exclude, but shall be in addition to, any other rights which may be
granted by or pursuant to any statute, certificate of incorporation, by-law,
resolution or agreement, (ii) shall be deemed to constitute contractual
obligations of the Company to any Trustee, director or officer who serves in
such capacity at any time while this by-law is in effect, (iii) are intended to
be retroactive and shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to
the adoption of this by-law and (iv) shall continue to exist after the repeal or
modification hereof with respect to events occurring prior thereto. It is the
intent of this by-law to require the Company to indemnify the persons referred
to herein for the aforementioned judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement
and expenses, including attorneys' fees, in each and every circumstance in which
such indemnification could lawfully be permitted by an express provision of a
by-law, and the indemnification required by this by-law shall not be limited by
the absence of an express recital of such circumstances. The Company may, with
the approval of the Board of Trustees, enter into an agreement with any person
who is, or is about to become, a Trustee or officer of the Company, or who is
serving, or is about to serve, at the request of the Company, any other
corporation of any type or kind, domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, as a director,
officer or in any other capacity, which agreement may provide for
indemnification of such person and advancement of defense expenses to such
person upon such terms, and to the extent, as may be permitted by law.
SECTION 16. Wherever the expression "Trustees" or "Board of Trustees" is
used in these By-laws the same shall be deemed to apply to the Directors or
Board of Directors, as the case may be, if the designation of those persons
constituting the governing board of this Company is changed from "Trustees" to
"Directors".
SECTION 17. Either the Board of Trustees or the stockholders may alter or
amend these By-laws at any meeting duly held as above provided, the notice of
which includes notice of the proposed amendment.
<PAGE>
EMERGENCY BY-LAWS
OF
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
As Amended
February 23, 1966
Effective May 16, 1966
SECTION 1. These Emergency By-laws may be declared effective by the
Defense Council of New York as constituted under the New York State Defense
Emergency Act in the event of attack and shall cease to be effective when the
Council declares the end of the period of attack.
SECTION 2. In the event of attack and until the Defense Council declares
the end of the period of attack the affairs of the Company shall be managed by
such Trustees theretofore elected as are available to act, and a majority of
such Trustees shall constitute a quorum. In the event that there are less than
three Trustees available to act, then and in that event the Board of Trustees
shall consist of such Trustees theretofore elected and available to act plus
such number of senior officers of the Company not theretofore elected as
Trustees as will make a Board of not less than three nor more than five members.
The Board as so constituted shall continue until such time as the Defense
Council declares the end of the period of attack and their successors are duly
elected.
SECTION 3. The By-laws of the Company shall remain in effect during the
period of emergency to the extent that said By-laws are not inconsistent with
these Emergency By-laws.
12/27/96
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
Con Edison Thrift Savings Plan
for Management Employees
and
Tax Reduction Act Stock Ownership Plan
As Amended and Restated Effective as of December 1, 1996 Except as Otherwise
Noted.
<PAGE>
12/27/96
PURPOSE.................................................................... 1
ARTICLE 1.................................................................. 3
Definitions.......................................................... 3
ARTICLE 2.................................................................. 18
Eligibility and Participation........................................ 18
2.01 Eligibility.............................................. 18
2.02 Participation............................................ 18
2.03 Reemployment of Former Employees and Former
Participants............................................. 19
2.04 Transferred Participants................................. 19
2.05 Termination of Participation............................. 19
ARTICLE 3.................................................................. 20
Contributions........................................................ 20
3.01 Pre-Tax Contributions.................................... 20
3.02 After-Tax Contributions.................................. 22
3.03 Company Contributions.................................... 22
3.04 Participating and Nonparticipating Contributions......... 23
3.05 Rollover Contributions and Trust to Trust Transfers...... 23
3.06 Changes in Contributions................................. 25
3.07 Suspension in Contributions.............................. 25
3.08 Payment to Trust......................................... 26
3.09 No Contributions to TRASOP............................... 26
3.10 Transition Period........................................ 26
ARTICLE 4.................................................................. 26
Company Contributions................................................ 26
4.01 Company Contributions Election........................... 26
4.02 Change of Election....................................... 27
4.03 Certification to Company. .............................. 27
4.04 Forfeitures.............................................. 27
ARTICLE 5.................................................................. 27
The Trust Fund; Investments.......................................... 27
5.01 Trust Agreement.......................................... 27
5.02 Investment of Trust Fund................................. 28
5.03 Company Stock Fund....................................... 31
5.04 Accounts and Subaccounts................................. 32
5.05 Pre-January 1, 1985 Contributions........................ 32
5.06 Statements of Account.................................... 32
5.07 Responsibility for Investments........................... 33
ARTICLE 6.................................................................. 33
Vesting.............................................................. 33
6.01 Participant Contributions................................ 33
6.02 Company Contributions.................................... 34
6.03 TRASOP Account........................................... 34
ARTICLE 7.................................................................. 34
Distributions, Withdrawals and Forfeitures........................... 34
7.01 Retirement............................................... 34
7.02 Voluntary Termination or Termination by the Company;
Forfeitures.............................................. 35
7.03 Death................................................... 36
7.04 Withdrawals.............................................. 36
7.05 Hardship Withdrawals..................................... 41
7.06 Distribution from Company Stock Fund..................... 44
7.07 Leaves of Absence and Transfers to Weekly Payroll........ 44
7.08 Age 70 1/2 Required Distribution......................... 45
7.09 Form and Timing of Distributions......................... 46
7.10 Status of Account Pending Distribution................... 47
7.11 Proof of Death and Right of Beneficiary or Other
Person................................................... 48
7.12 Distribution Limitation.................................. 48
7.13 Direct Rollover of Certain Distributions................. 48
ARTICLE 8.................................................................. 50
Non-Discrimination and Limitation.................................... 50
8.01 Actual Deferral Percentage Test.......................... 50
8.02 Actual Contribution Percentage Test...................... 52
8.03 Aggregate Contribution Limitation........................ 54
8.04 Additional Discrimination Testing Provisions............. 54
8.05 Maximum Annual Additions................................. 57
8.06 Defined Benefit Plan Limitation.......................... 60
ARTICLE 9.................................................................. 60
Loans ............................................................... 60
9.01 Loans Permitted.......................................... 60
9.02 Amount of Loans.......................................... 61
9.03 Source of Loans.......................................... 61
9.04 Interest Rate............................................ 62
9.05 Repayment................................................ 62
9.06 Multiple Loans........................................... 63
9.07 Pledge................................................... 63
9.08 Loan Reserve............................................. 64
9.09 Minimum Account Balance.................................. 64
9.10 Consent.................................................. 64
9.11 Other Terms.............................................. 64
ARTICLE 10................................................................. 65
Administration of the Plan........................................... 65
10.01 Named Fiduciaries and Plan Administrator................ 65
10.02 Authority of Plan Administrator......................... 65
10.03 Reliance on Reports..................................... 66
10.04 Delegation of Authority................................. 66
10.05 Administration Expenses................................. 66
10.06 Fiduciary Insurance..................................... 67
10.07 Claim Review............................................ 68
10.08 Appointment of Trustee.................................. 70
10.09 Limitation of Liability................................. 70
ARTICLE 11................................................................. 70
Miscellaneous........................................................ 70
11.01 Exclusive Benefit; Amendments........................... 70
11.02 Termination; Sale of Assets of Subsidiary............... 71
11.03 Beneficiaries........................................... 72
11.04 Assignment of Benefits.................................. 74
11.05 Merger.................................................. 74
11.06 Conditions of Employment Not Affected by Plan........... 75
11.07 Facility of Payment..................................... 75
11.08 Information............................................. 75
11.09 Additional Participating Employers...................... 76
11.10 IRS Determination....................................... 76
11.11 Mistaken Contributions.................................. 78
11.12 Prevention of Escheat................................... 78
11.13 Limitations Imposed on Insider Participants............. 78
11.14 Construction............................................ 79
ARTICLE 12................................................................. 79
Top-Heavy Provisions................................................. 79
12.01 Application of Top-Heavy Provisions..................... 79
12.02 Minimum Benefit for Top-Heavy Year...................... 79
12.03 Aggregation Groups...................................... 80
12.04 Special Benefit Limits.................................. 80
12.05 Special Distribution Rule............................... 81
ARTICLE 13................................................................. 81
Tax Reduction Act Stock Ownership Plan............................... 81
13.01 Purpose; Separate Entity................................ 81
13.02 TRASOP Accounts; Application of Dividends............... 82
13.03 Voting Rights; Options; Rights; Warrants................ 83
13.04 Distribution of Shares.................................. 83
13.05 Diversification of TRASOP Accounts...................... 90
<PAGE>
12/27/96
CON EDISON THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN
FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES
AND
TAX REDUCTION ACT STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Plan is to establish a convenient way for
management employees of the Company to supplement their retirement income by
saving on a regular and long-term basis and to provide additional financial
security for emergencies, thereby offering these employees an additional
incentive to continue their careers with the Company. This Plan is intended to
satisfy the requirements of Sections 401(k) and 401(m) of the Code and to
qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code, and the trust described in Article 5
of this Plan is an integral part of this Plan and is intended to qualify under
Section 501(a) of the Code, so as to provide Participants an option to defer a
portion of their compensation on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis and to invest
and reinvest their savings under the Plan on a tax-deferred basis. It is
intended that a Participant's Pre-Tax Contributions, as defined in this Plan,
shall constitute payments by the Company as contributions to the Trust Fund on
behalf of the Participant, within the meaning of Section 401(k) of the Code.
Effective as of July 1, 1988, the Company's Tax Reduction Act Stock
Ownership Plan ("TRASOP") for management employees has been included within this
plan document, and all TRASOP Accounts and all transactions with respect to
TRASOP and TRASOP Accounts shall be governed by this plan document, but this
Plan and the TRASOP shall be separate plans. All TRASOP matters relating to the
period up to June 30, 1988 shall be governed by TRASOP as amended to February
19, 1988. There shall be no transfers between TRASOP Accounts and other Plan
Accounts and Subaccounts, and Plan Accounts and Subaccounts and TRASOP Accounts
shall continue to be operated as separate entities, albeit within a single plan
document and trust.
On December 28, 1994, the Plan was amended and restated in its
entirety effective as of January 1, 1994 except as otherwise provided therein.
The Plan, as so amended and restated, was submitted to the Internal Revenue
Service for a determination of its qualified status. Following consideration of
comments received from the Internal Revenue Service after its review of the
Plan, the Company decided to change the effective date of the Plan. Accordingly,
the Plan was amended and restated in its entirety, as amended through October
18, 1995, and this amendment and restatement waseffective as of January 1, 1989,
except as otherwise provided therein and except that Sections 301(b), (c) and
(d), 8.05 and 8.06 were effective as of January 1, 1987.
Effective as of December 1, 1996 the Plan is amended and restated in
its entirety to make a transition to Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company to provide
trustee, recordkeeping, investment management and participant educational
services for the Plan, to add new investment funds, to change to daily valuation
and make certain other changes to the Plan.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 1
Definitions
The following words and phrases have the following meanings unless a
different meaning is plainly required by the context:
1.01 "Account" means the record maintained pursuant to Section 5.04 by the
Recordkeeper for each Participant relating to thrift savings contributions to
the Plan.
<PAGE>
1.02 "Act" means the Tax Reduction Act of 1975, as amended from time to
time.
1.03 "Actual Contribution Percentage," or "ACP," means, with respect to a
specified group of Employees, the average of the ratios, calculated separately
for each Employee in the group, of (a) the sum of the Employee's After-Tax
Contributions and Company Contributions for that Plan Year (excluding any
Company Contributions forfeited under the provisions of Sections 3.01 and 8.01),
to (b) his Statutory Compensation for that entire Plan Year; provided that, upon
direction of the Plan Administrator, Statutory Compensation for a Plan Year
shall only be counted if received during the period an Employee is, or is
eligible to become, a Participant. The Actual Contribution Percentage for each
group and the ratio determined for each Employee in the group shall be
calculated to the nearest one one-hundredth of one percent.
1.04 "Actual Deferral Percentage," or "ADP," means, with respect to a
specified group of Employees, the average of the ratios, calculated separately
for each Employee in that group, of (a) the amount of Pre-Tax Contributions made
pursuant to Section 3.01 for a Plan Year (including Pre-Tax Contributions
returned to a Highly Compensated Employee under Section 3.01(c) and Pre-Tax
Contributions returned to any Employee pursuant to Section 3.01(d)), to (b) the
Employee's Statutory Compensation for that entire Plan Year, provided that, upon
direction of the Plan Administrator, Statutory Compensation for a Plan Year
shall only be counted if received during the period an Employee is, or is
eligible to become, a Participant. The Actual Deferral Percentage for each group
and the ratio determined for each Employee in the group shall be calculated to
the nearest one one-hundredth of one percent. For purposes of determining the
Actual Deferral Percentage for a Plan Year, Pre-Tax Contributions may be taken
into account for a Plan Year only if they:
(a) relate to compensation that either would have been received by the
Employee in the Plan Year but for the deferral election, or are attributable to
services performed by the Employee in the Plan Year and would have been received
by the Employee within 2 1/2 months after the close of the Plan Year but for the
deferral election,
(b) are allocated to the Employee as of a date within that Plan Year and
the allocation is not contingent on the participation or performance of service
after such date, and
(c) are actually paid to the Trustee no later than 12 months after the end
of the Plan Year to which the contributions relate.
1.05 "Adjustment Factor" means the cost of living adjustment factor
prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under Section 415(d) of the Code for
calendar years beginning on or after January 1, 1988, and applied to such items
and in such manner as the Secretary shall provide.
1.06 "Affiliated Employer" means any company which is a member of a
controlled group of corporations (as defined in Section 414(b) of the Code)
which also includes as a member the Company; any trade or business under common
control (as defined in Section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company; any
organization (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of an affiliated
service group (as defined in Section 414(m) of the Code) which includes the
Company; and any other entity required to be aggregated with the Company
pursuant to regulations under Section 414(o) of the Code. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, for purposes of Sections 1.31 and 8.05, the definitions in Sections
414(b) and (c) of the Code shall be modified by substituting the phrase "more
than 50 percent" for the phrase "at least 80 percent" each place it appears in
Section 1563(a)(1) of the Code.
1.07 "After-Tax Contribution" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.02.
1.08 "After-Tax Subaccount" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.04.
1.09 "Annual Dollar Limit" means for Plan Years beginning on or after
January 1, 1989 and before January 1, 1994, $200,000 multiplied by the
Adjustment Factor. Commencing with the 1994 Plan Year, the Annual Dollar Limit
means $150,000, except that if for any calendar year after 1994 the
Cost-of-Living Adjustment as hereafter defined is equal to or greater than
$10,000, then the Annual Dollar Limit (as previously adjusted under this
Section) for any Plan Year beginning in any subsequent calendar year shall be
increased by the amount of such Cost-of-Living Adjustment, rounded to the next
lowest multiple of $10,000. The Cost-of-Living Adjustment shall equal the excess
of (i) $150,000 increased by the adjustments made under Section 415(d) of the
Code for the calendar years after 1994 except that the base period for purposes
of Section 415(d)(1)(A) of the Code shall be the calendar quarter beginning
October 1, 1993 over (ii) the Annual Dollar Limit in effect for the Plan Year
beginning in the calendar year.
1.10 "Annuity Starting Date" means the first day of the first period for
which an amount is paid following a Participant's Retirement or other
termination of employment.
1.11 "Beneficiary" means the person or persons determined in accordance
with the provisions of Section 11.03 to succeed to a Participant's benefits
under the Plan in the event of death of such Participant prior to the entire
distribution of such benefits.
1.12 "Board" means the Board of Trustees of the Company.
1.13 "Break in Service" means an event affecting forfeitures, which
shall occur to the extent that a Participant's nonforfeitable rights in his
Company Contributions Subaccount are determined under the cliff vesting
provisions of Section 6.02, as of the Participant's Severance Date if he is not
reemployed by the Company or an Affiliated Employer within one year after a
Severance Date. However, if an Employee is absent from work immediately
following his or her active employment, irrespective of whether the Employee's
employment is terminated, because of the Employee's pregnancy, the birth of the
Employee's child, the placement of a child with the Employee in connection with
the adoption of that child by the Employee or for purposes of caring for that
child for a period beginning immediately following that birth or placement and
that absence from work began on or after the first day of the Plan Year which
began in 1985, a Break in Service shall occur to the extent that a Participant's
nonforfeitable rights in his Company Contributions Subaccount are determined
under the cliff vesting provisions of Section 6.02 only if the Participant does
not return to work within two years of his Severance Date. A Break in Service
shall not occur during an approved leave of absence or during a period of
military service which is included in the Employee's Vesting Service pursuant to
Section 1.57.
1.14 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
to time.
1.15 "Company" means Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. or
any successor by merger, purchase or otherwise, with respect to its
employees; or any other company participating in the Plan as provided in
Section 11.09 with respect to its employees.
1.16 "Company Contribution" means any contributions to the Trust Fund by
the Company pursuant to Section 3.03.
1.17 "Company Contribution Subaccount" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.04.
1.18 "Compensation" means base salary paid to an Employee for services
rendered to the Company, determined prior to any reduction for Pre-Tax
Contributions pursuant to Section 3.01 or amounts contributed on the Employee's
behalf on a salary reduction basis to a cafeteria plan under Section 125 of the
Code and excluding bonuses, overtime pay, incentive compensation, deferred
compensation and all other forms of special pay. However, for Plan Years
beginning after 1988, Compensation shall not exceed the Annual Dollar Limit. The
Annual Dollar Limit applies to the aggregate Compensation paid to a Highly
Compensated Employee referred to in Section 8.04, his spouse and his lineal
descendants who have not attained age 19 before the end of the Plan Year. If, as
a result of the application of the family aggregation rule, the Annual Dollar
Limit is exceeded, then the Limit shall be prorated among the affected
individuals in proportion to each such individual's Compensation as determined
under this Section prior to the application of the Limit.
1.19 "Defined Benefit Plan" means a "defined benefit plan" as defined in
Section 414(j) of the Code which is maintained by the Company or an Affiliated
Employer for its employees.
1.20 "Defined Benefit Plan Fraction" means, for any Participant, for any
calendar year, a fraction:
(a) The numerator of which is the Projected Annual Benefit of the
Participant under all Defined Benefit Plans (determined as of the close of the
year); and
(b) The denominator of which is the lesser of:
(i) The product of 1.25 multiplied by $90,000
as adjusted by the Adjustment Factor; or
(ii) The product of 1.4 multiplied by the average of the
Participant's aggregate renumeration as defined in Section
8.05 for his highest three consecutive years.
1.21 "Defined Contribution Plan" means a "defined contribution plan" as
defined in Section 414(i) of the Code which is maintained by the Company or an
Affiliated Employer for its employees.
1.22 "Defined Contribution Plan Fraction" means, for any Participant, for
any calendar year, a fraction:
(a) The numerator of which is the sum of the Participant's Annual
Additions for the year determined as of the end of such year; and
(b) The denominator of which is the sum of the lesser of the following
amounts determined for such year and for each prior year of Service:
(i) The product of 1.25 multiplied by
$30,000, as adjusted by the Adjustment
Factor; or
(ii) The product of 1.4 multiplied by 25% of the Participant's
aggregate renumeration as defined in Section 8.05 for the
year.
1.23 "Disability" means total and permanent physical or mental disability,
as evidenced by (a) receipt of a Social Security disability pension or (b)
receipt of disability payments under the Company's long-term disability program.
1.24 "Earnings" means the amount of income to be returned with any excess
deferrals, excess contributions or excess aggregate contributions under Section
3.01, 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03. Earnings on excess deferrals and excess contributions
shall be determined by multiplying the income earned on the Pre-Tax Subaccount
for the Plan Year by a fraction, the numerator of which is the excess deferrals
or excess contributions, as the case may be, for the Plan Year and the
denominator of which is the Pre-Tax Subaccount balance at the end of the Plan
Year, disregarding any income or loss occurring during the Plan Year. Earnings
on excess aggregate contributions shall be determined in a similar manner by
substituting the sum of the Company Contributions Subaccount and After-Tax
Subaccount for the Pre-Tax Subaccount, and the excess aggregate contributions
for the excess deferrals and excess contributions in the preceding sentence.
1.25 "Employee" means a salaried employee of the Company who is on the
management payroll and receives stated compensation other than a pension,
severance pay, retainer, or fee under contract; however, the term "Employee"
excludes any Leased Employee and any person who is included in a unit of
employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement which does not provide
for his participation in the Plan.
1.26 "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time.
1.27 "Highly Compensated Employee" means any employee of the Company or an
Affiliated Employer (whether or not eligible for participation in the Plan) who
satisfies the criteria of paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d):
(a) During the look-back year the employee:
(i) received Statutory Compensation in excess of $75,000
multiplied by the Adjustment Factor;
(ii) received Statutory Compensation in excess of $50,000
multiplied by the Adjustment Factor and was among the highest
20 percent of employees for that year when ranked by Statutory
Compensation paid for that year excluding, for purposes of
determining the number of such employees, such employees as
the Company may determine on a consistent basis pursuant to
Section 414(q)(8) of the Code; or
(iii) was at any time an officer of the Company or an Affiliated
Employer and received Statutory Compensation greater than 50
percent of the dollar limitation on maximum benefits under
Section 415(b)(1)(A) of the Code for such Plan Year. The
number of officers is limited to 50 (or, if lesser, the
greater of 3 employees or 10 percent of employees excluding
those employees who may be excluded in determining the
top-paid group). If no officer has Statutory Compensation in
excess of 50 percent of the dollar limitation on maximum
benefits under Section 415(b)(1)(A) of the Code, the highest
paid officer is treated as a Highly Compensated Employee.
(b) During the determination year, the employee satisfies the criteria
under (i), (ii), or (iii) of (a) above and is one of the 100 highest paid
employees of the Company or an Affiliated Employer.
(c) During the determination year or the look-back year the employee was
at any time a five percent owner of the Company.
(d) For purposes of Section 8.04(a), a Highly Compensated Employee shall
include a former employee who separated from service prior to the determination
year and who was a five percent owner for either (i) the year he separated from
service or (ii) any determination year ending on or after the employee's 55th
birthday.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, employees who are nonresident aliens
and who receive no earned income from the Company or an Affiliated Employer
which constitutes income from sources within the United States shall be
disregarded for all purposes of this Section.
(f) For purposes of this Section, the "determination year" means the Plan
Year and "look-back year" means the 12 month period immediately preceding the
determination year. However, to the extent permitted under regulations, the Plan
Administrator may elect to determine the status of Highly Compensated Employees
on a current calendar year basis.
(g) The provisions of the Section shall be further subject to such
additional requirements as shall be described in Section 414(q) of the Code and
its applicable regulations, which shall override any aspects of this Section
inconsistent therewith.
1.28 "Hour of Service" means each hour for which the employee is paid or
entitled to payment for the performance of duties for the Company or an
Affiliated Employer.
1.29 "Investment Fund" means an investment fund available under the Plan
for investment of assets held in the Trust Fund.
1.30 "Investment Manager" means an investment manager as defined in
Section 3(38)of ERISA, which is appointed by the Named Fiduciaries to manage the
assets invested in an Investment Fund.
1.31 "Leased Employee" means any person performing services for the
Company or an Affiliated Employer as a leased employee as defined in Section
414(n) of the Code. In the case of any person who is a Leased Employee before or
after a period of service as an Employee, the entire period during which he has
performed services as a Leased Employee shall be counted as service as an
Employee for all purposes of the Plan, except that he shall not, by reason of
that status, become a Participant of the Plan.
1.32 "Loan Reserve" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.08.
1.33 "Named Fiduciaries" means the persons designated as named
fiduciaries of the Plan pursuant to Section 10.01.
1.34 "Nonparticipating Contribution" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.04.
1.35 "Participant" means any person who has a balance to his credit in the
Trust Fund and/or shares beneficially owned under a TRASOP Account.
1.36 "Participating Contribution" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.04.
1.37 "Plan" means the Con Edison Thrift Savings Plan for Management
Employees and, effective as of July 1, 1988, the TRASOP, as amended from time to
time, as set forth herein.
1.38 "Plan Administrator" means the Plan Administrator appointed pursuant
to Section 10.01 to administer the Plan.
<PAGE>
1.39 "Plan Year" means the calendar year.
1.40 "Pre-Tax Contribution" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.01.
1.41 "Pre-Tax Subaccount" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5.04.
1.42 "Projected Annual Benefit" means, for any Participant, for any
calendar year, the annual benefit payable in the form of a straight life annuity
to which the Participant would be entitled under a Defined Benefit Plan on the
assumptions that he continues in the employment of the Company until the normal
retirement age under the Defined Benefit Plan (or his current age, if later),
that his compensation, as defined in such Defined Benefit Plan, continues at the
same rate in effect for the year under consideration until such age, and that
all other relevant factors used to determine benefits under the Defined Benefit
Plan remain constant as of the year under consideration for all future years.
1.43 "Recordkeeper" means the individual(s) or firm selected by the Plan
Administrator to provide recordkeeping and Participant accounting services for
the Plan, including maintenance of separate accounts for Participants in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5.04.
1.44 "Retirement" means a termination of service by a Participant either
(a) by reason of disability, or (b) under circumstances in which he is entitled
to receive a retirement pension under any Defined Benefit Plan, or (c) in the
case of any Participant who is employed after age 60 and who is not entitled to
receive a retirement pension under any Defined Benefit Plan, on or after his
sixty-fifth birthday.
1.45 "Rollover Subaccount" means the account credited with the Rollover
Contributions made by a Participant and earnings on those contributions.
1.46 Rollover Contributions" means amounts contributed pursuant to
Section 3.05.
1.47 "Severance Date" means the earlier of (a) the date an employee quits,
retires, is discharged or dies, or (b) the first anniversary of the date on
which an employee is first absent from service, with or without pay, for any
reason such as vacation, sickness, disability, layoff or leave of absence.
1.48 "Statutory Compensation" means the wages, salaries, and other amounts
paid in respect of an employee for services actually rendered to the Company or
an Affiliated Employer, including by way of example, overtime and bonuses, but
excluding deferred compensation, stock options and other distributions which
receive special tax benefits under the Code. For purposes of determining Highly
Compensated Employees under Section 1.27 and key employees under Article 12,
Statutory Compensation shall include Pre-Tax Contributions and amounts
contributed on a Participant's behalf on a salary reduction basis to a cafeteria
plan under Section 125 of the Code. For all other purposes, each Plan Year the
Plan Administrator may direct that Statutory Compensation shall include Pre-Tax
Contributions and amounts contributed on a Participant's behalf on a salary
reduction basis to a cafeteria plan under Section 125 of the Code. For Plan
Years beginning on or after January 1, 1989, Statutory Compensation shall not
exceed the Annual Dollar Limit, provided that such Limit shall not be applied in
determining Highly Compensated Employees under Section 1.27. The Annual Dollar
Limit applies to the aggregate Statutory Compensation paid to a Highly
Compensated Employee referred to in Section 8.04(a), his spouse and his lineal
descendants who have not attained age 19 before the close of the Plan Year. If,
as a result of the application of the family aggregation rule, the Annual Dollar
Limit is exceeded, then the Limit shall be prorated among the affected
individuals in proportion to each such individual's Statutory Compensation as
determined under this Section prior to the application of the Limit.
1.49 "Shares" means issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company and shall include fractional shares of such common stock.
<PAGE>
1.50 "Top-Heavy Plan" means any Defined Contribution Plan or Defined
Benefit Plan under which more that 60% of the sum of (i) its aggregate account
balances and (ii) the present value of its aggregate accrued benefits is
allocated to key employees. For the purposes of this definition "present value"
shall be determined on the basis of the applicable interest rate and applicable
mortality table as set forth in the Company's Defined Benefit Plan.
1.51 "Top Heavy Group" means any "required aggregation group" (as defined
in Section 12.03) or any "permissive aggregation group" (as defined in Section
12.03) in which more than 60% of the sum of (i) the aggregate account balances
under all plans in the group and (ii) the aggregate present value of accrued
benefits under all plans in the group is allocated to key employees. For the
purpose of this definition, "present value" shall be determined on basis of the
applicable interest rate and applicable mortality table as set forth in the
Company's Defined Benefit Plan.
1.52 "TRASOP" means the Tax Reduction Act Stock Ownership Plan of the
Company, as included within this plan document effective as of July 1, 1988.
1.53 "TRASOP Account" means an account maintained on behalf of an Employee
by the Trustee under the TRASOP, in which is held Shares beneficially owned
thereunder by the Employee, as determined under the provisions and requirements
of the TRASOP.
1.54 "Trust Fund" means the trust fund described in Article 5.
1.55 "Trustee" means the trustee at any time appointed and acting as
trustee of the Trust Fund.
1.56 "Vested Portion" means the portion of the Account in which the
Participant has a nonforfeitable interest as provided in Article 6 or, if
applicable, Article 12.
1.57 "Vesting Service" means, with respect to any employee, his period of
employment with the Company or any Affiliated Employer, whether or not as an
Employee, beginning on the date he first completes an Hour of Service and ending
on his Severance Date, provided that:
(a) if his employment terminates and he is reemployed within one year of
the earlier of (i) his date of termination or (ii) the first day of an absence
from service immediately preceding his date of termination, the period between
his Severance Date and his date of reemployment shall be included in his Vesting
Service;
(b) if he is absent from the service of the Company or any Affiliated
Employer because of service in the Armed Forces of the United States and he
returns to service with the Company or an Affiliated Employer having applied to
return while his reemployment rights were protected by law, the absence shall be
included in his Vesting Service;
(c) if he is on a leave of absence covered by the Family and Medical Leave
Act of 1993, as it may be amended from time to time, the period of leave shall
be included in his Vesting Service;
(d) if he is on leave of absence approved by the Company, under rules
uniformly applicable to all Employees similarly situated, the Company may
authorize the inclusion in his Vesting Service of any portion of that period of
leave which is not included in his Vesting Service under (a), (b) or (c) above;
and
(e) if his employment terminates and he is reemployed after he has
incurred a Break in Service, his Vesting Service after reemployment shall be
aggregated with his previous period or periods of Vesting Service if (i) he was
vested in his Company Contribution Subaccount or (ii) the period from his Break
in Service to his subsequent reemployment does not equal or exceed the greater
of five years or his period of Vesting Service before his Break in Service.
1.58 "Weekly Plan"means the Con Edison Retirement Income Savings Plan for
Weekly Employees as from time to time in effect.
1.59 The masculine pronoun wherever used includes the feminine pronoun.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 2
Eligibility and Participation
2.01 Eligibility. Any Employee shall be eligible for
participation in the Plan, except that only an Employee who was a Participant
in, and had an account under TRASOP on June 30, 1988, shall be eligible to
continue to participate in TRASOP and have a TRASOP Account under this Plan,
because applicable laws do not permit additional tax credit contributions to
TRASOP.
2.02 Participation. An Employee may become a Participant by
completing such enrollment process as may be prescribed by the Plan
Administrator and by electing to make monthly contributions to the Trust Fund in
an amount equal to any percentage of his Compensation permitted by Sections 3.01
and/or 3.02. An Employee may also become a Participant by electing to contribute
to the Trust Fund amounts allocated to the Employee by the Company under a
cafeteria plan of the Company under Section 125 of the Code and otherwise
available under such plan to be contributed under this Plan. A Participant's
contributions shall be made by regular payroll deductions authorized from time
to time by such Participant in such manner and on such conditions as may be
prescribed by the Plan Administrator, including a form furnished by the Company
under a cafeteria plan of the Company under Section 125 of the Code. An Employee
may become a Participant beginning with any calendar month by making such
election on or before such day of the preceding calendar month as may be
specified by the Plan Administrator.
2.03 Reemploymentof Former Employees and Former Participants. Any person
reemployed by the Company as an Employee, who was previously a Participant or
who was previously eligible to become a Participant, shall become a Participant
upon completing the enrollment process and making an election in accordance with
Section 2.02. Transferred Participants. A Participant who remains in the employ
of the Company or an Affiliated Employer but ceases to be an Employee shall
continue to be a Participant of the Plan but shall not be eligible to make
After-Tax Contributions, Pre-Tax Contributions or to have Company Contributions
made on his behalf while his employment status is other than as an Employee.
2.05 Termination of Participation. A Participant's participation shall terminate
on the date he is no longer employed by the Company or any Affiliated Employer
unless the Participant is entitled to benefits under the Plan, in which event
his participation shall terminate when those benefits are distributed to him.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 3
Contributions
3.01 Pre-Tax Contributions.
(a) A Participant may elect in accordance with Section 2.02 to reduce his
Compensation payable while a Participant by at least 1% and, effective January
1, 1994, not more than 18%, in multiples of 1% and have that amount contributed
to the Plan by the Company as Pre-Tax Contributions. An amount contributed to
the Plan pursuant to the election of a Participant under a cafeteria plan of the
Company under Section 125 of the Code may be designated as a Pre-Tax
Contribution by the Participant. Pre-Tax Contributions shall be further limited
as provided below and in Sections 8.01, 8.04 and 8.05.
(b) In no event shall the Participant's Pre-Tax Contributions and similar
contributions made on his behalf by the Company or an Affiliated Employer to all
plans, contracts or arrangements subject to the provisions of Section 401(a)(30)
of the Code in any calendar year exceed $7,000 multiplied by the Adjustment
Factor. If a Participant's Pre-Tax Contributions in a calendar year reach that
dollar limitation, his election of Pre-Tax Contributions for the remainder of
the calendar year will be canceled and, if so elected by the Participant, then
recharacterized as an election to make After-Tax Contributions under Section
3.02 at the same rate as was previously in effect for his Pre-Tax Contributions.
Each Participant affected by this paragraph (b) may elect to change or suspend
the rate at which he makes After-Tax Contributions. As of the first pay period
of the calendar year following such cancellation, the Participant's election of
Pre-Tax Contributions shall again become effective at the rate in accordance
with his most recent election for Pre-Tax Contributions.
(c) In the event that the sum of the Pre-Tax Contributions and similar
contributions to any other qualified Defined Contribution Plan maintained by the
Company or an Affiliated Employer exceeds the dollar limitation in Section
3.01(b) for any calendar year, the Participant shall be deemed to have elected a
return of Pre-Tax Contributions in excess of such limit ("excess deferrals")
from this Plan. The excess deferrals, together with Earnings, shall be returned
to the Participant no later than the April 15 following the end of the calendar
year in which the excess deferrals were made. The amount of excess deferrals to
be returned for any calendar year shall be reduced by any Pre-Tax Contributions
previously returned to the Participant under Section 8.01 for that calendar
year. In the event any Pre-Tax Contributions returned under the this paragraph
(c) were matched by Company Contributions under Section 3.03, those Company
Contributions, together with Earnings, shall be forfeited and used to reduce
future Company contributions.
(d) If a Participant makes tax-deferred contributions under another
qualified defined contribution plan maintained by an employer other than the
Company or an Affiliated Employer for any calendar year and those contributions
when added to his Pre-Tax Contributions exceed the dollar limitation under
Section 3.01(b) for that calendar year, the Participant may allocate all or a
portion of such excess deferrals to this Plan. In that event, such excess
deferrals, together with Earnings, shall be returned to the Participant no later
than the April 15 following the end of the calendar year in which such excess
deferrals were made. However, the Plan shall not be required to return excess
deferrals unless the Participant notifies the Plan Administrator, in writing, by
March 1 of that following calendar year of the amount of the excess deferrals
allocated to this Plan. The amount of such excess deferrals to be returned for
any calendar year shall be reduced by any Pre-Tax Contributions previously
returned to the Participant under Section 8.01 for that calendar year. In the
event any Pre-Tax Contributions returned under this paragraph (d) were matched
by Company Contributions under Section 3.03, those Company Contributions,
together with Earnings, shall be forfeited and used to reduce future Company
contributions.
3.02 After-Tax Contributions. Any Participant may make After-Tax Contributions
under this Section whether or not he has elected to have Pre-Tax Contributions
made on his behalf pursuant to Section 3.01. The amount of After-Tax
Contributions shall be at least 1% and, effective January 1, 1994, not more than
18% of his Compensation while a Participant, in multiples of 1%. An amount
contributed to the Plan pursuant to the election of a Participant under a
cafeteria plan of the Company under Section 125 of the Code may be designated as
any After-Tax Contribution by the Participant. If the Participant has made an
election under Section 3.01, the maximum percentage of Compensation which the
Participant may elect to contribute under this Section shall be equal to the
excess of 18% over the percentage elected by the Participant under Section 3.01.
3.03 Company Contributions. The Company shall
contribute on behalf of each of its Participants who elects to make Pre-Tax
Contributions or After-Tax Contributions an amount equal to 50% of the sum of
the Pre-Tax Contributions and After-Tax Contributions made on behalf of or by
the Participant to the Plan during each month, not to exceed 6% of the
Participant's Compensation for such month, in the following order of priority:
(a) Pre-Tax Contributions, and then (b) After-Tax Contributions. In no event,
however, shall the Company Contributions for a month pursuant to this Section
exceed 3% of the Participant's Compensation for such month. The Company
Contributions are made expressly conditional on the Plan satisfying the
provisions of Sections 3.01, 8.01, 8.02 and 8.03. If any portion of the Pre-Tax
Contribution or After-Tax Contribution to which the Company Contribution relates
is returned to the Participant under Section 3.01, 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, the
corresponding Company Contribution shall be forfeited, and if any amount of the
Company Contribution is deemed an excess aggregate contribution under Section
8.03, such amount shall be forfeited in accordance with the provisions of that
Section. Company Contributions shall be paid to the Trustee each calendar month.
3.04 Participating and Nonparticipating Contributions. The portion of a
Participant's Pre-Tax Contribution or After-Tax Contribution to which the
Company Contribution relates shall be Participating Contributions, and the
portion of a Participant's Pre-Tax Contribution or After-Tax Contribution in
excess of the Participant's Participating Contributions shall be
Nonparticipating Contributions.
3.05 Rollover Contributions and Trust to Trust Transfers.
(a) Subject to such terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator may
determine to be appropriate, applied in a uniform and non-discriminatory manner
to all Participants, and without regard to any limitations on contributions set
forth in this Article 3, the Plan may receive from a Participant for credit to
his Rollover Subaccount, in cash, any amount previously distributed (or deemed
to have been distributed) to him from a qualified plan. The Plan may receive
such amount either directly from the Participant or in the form of a direct
rollover from an individual retirement account or from a qualified plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan shall not accept any amount unless such
amount is eligible to be rolled over in accordance with applicable law and the
Participant provides evidence satisfactory to the Plan Administrator that such
amount qualifies for rollover treatment. Unless received by the Plan in the form
of a direct rollover, the Rollover Contribution must be paid to the Trustee on
or before the 60th day after the day it was received by the Participant or be
rolled over through the medium of an individual retirement account that contains
no assets other than those representing employer contributions to a qualified
plan, any earnings thereon and any earnings from employee contributions to that
plan. At the time received by the Plan, the Participant shall, in such manner
and on such conditions as may be prescribed by the Plan Administrator, elect to
invest the Rollover Contribution in the Investment Funds then available under
the Plan to the Participant. If the Participant fails to make an investment
election, 100% of the Rollover Contribution shall be invested in the Investment
Fund that has the most conservative investment risk.
(b) Rollovers and direct rollovers shall only be accepted from a
Participant who is an Employee except that the Plan shall accept a rollover or
direct rollover from a former Employee who is a Participant of an amount
received from either a Defined Benefit Plan or the TRASOP.
(c) Subject to such terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator may
determine to be appropriate, applied in a uniform and non-discriminatory manner
to all Participants, the Plan shall receive on behalf of a Participant a
trust-to-trust transfer from the Weekly Plan of the Participant's benefits and
liabilities under the Weekly Plan. Any Participant whose benefits are the
subject of a trust-to-trust transfer from the Weekly Plan to this Plan will be
entitled to receive benefits, rights and features from the Plan that are no less
than the benefits, rights and features he would be entitled to receive from the
Weekly Plan immediately preceding the transfer. Following the transfer, the
Participant's rights to the non-vested portion of any benefits transferred from
the Weekly Plan shall vest in accordance with Section 6.02 of this Plan. To the
extent feasible, such transfer shall be made on an in-kind basis. To the extent
that such transfer is made in the form of cash, at the time received by the Plan
the Participant shall, in such manner and on such terms as may be prescribed by
the Plan Administrator, elect to invest the cash in the Investment Funds then
available under the Plan except that the Participant may elect to invest in the
Company Stock Fund only cash derived from the sale of shares in the Company
Stock Fund under the Weekly Plan.
3.06 Changes in Contributions. A Participant may
increase or reduce his contributions within the limits prescribed by Sections
3.01 and 3.02, effective as of the first day of any calendar month, by making a
new election on or before such day of the preceding calendar month in such
manner and on such conditions as may be prescribed by the Plan Administrator. A
Participant may make changes in contribution levels once a month.
3.07 Suspension in Contributions. A Participant
may at any time suspend his contributions as of the last day of any calendar
month by making an election on or before such day of such month, in such manner
and on such conditions as may be prescribed by the Plan Administrator. A
Participant may resume making contributions, effective as of any calendar month,
by making an election on or before such day of the preceding calendar month, in
such manner and as such conditions as may be prescribed by the Plan
Administrator. A suspension or resumption of contributions is counted as one of
the changes in contribution levels permitted within each Plan Year under the
Plan.
3.08 Payment to Trust.
(a) Amounts contributed by Participants shall be paid by the Company to
the Trustee promptly and credited by the Trustee to their Accounts in accordance
with the certification of the Plan Administrator as to the names of the
contributing Participants and the respective amounts contributed by each
Participant as Participating Contributions, Nonparticipating Contributions,
Pre-Tax Contributions and After-Tax Contributions.
(b) Each Company Contribution shall be paid by the Company promptly to the
Trustee and shall be allocated among the Participants and credited to their
respective Accounts in proportion to their Participating Contributions made
during the calendar month for which the Company Contribution is being made.
3.09 No Contributions to TRASOP. No contributions to TRASOP by the Company or by
Participants are permitted.
3.10 Transition Period. In order to carry out the
transition to Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company as Successor Trustee,
Recordkeeper and Investment Manager, the Plan Administrator shall have authority
to impose such rules and restrictions in the administration of the Plan as he
may deem appropriate, so long as such rules and restrictions are applied on a
uniform and nondiscriminatory basis.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 4
Company Contributions
4.01 Company Contributions Election. A
Participant may elect to have Company Contributions allocated to his Account
invested, in multiples of 1%, in any Investment Fund or Funds. If the
Participant fails to make an election as to Company Contributions, 100% of such
Contributions shall be invested in the Investment Fund that has the most
conservative investment risk. Any such election shall be made in such manner and
on such conditions as may be prescribed by the Plan Administrator.
4.02 Change of Election. A Participant may change his
investment election regarding future Company Contributions once a month during a
calendar year. Any such election shall be made in such manner and on such
conditions as may be prescribed by the Plan Administrator.
4.03 Certification to Company. The Recordkeeper
shall certify to the Company the amount of Company Contributions that each
Participant has most recently elected, pursuant to Section 4.01 or 4.02, to have
invested for his Account in the Investment Funds.
4.04 Forfeitures. The total amount of the Trust Fund forfeited
by Participants pursuant to Section 7.02 or otherwise, shall be invested in the
Investment Fund that has the most conservative investment risk and then shall be
applied forthwith to reduce future Company Contributions due under the Plan. The
Trustee shall promptly advise the Company of any such forfeiture and the amount
thereof. ARTICLE 5 ARTICLE 5 The Trust Fund; Investmentshe Trust Fund;
Investments
5.01 Trust Agreement. Contributions and TRASOP
Accounts shall be held in a Trust Fund by the Trustee under a written trust
agreement between the Company and the Trustee. No person shall have any rights
to or interest in the Trust Fund except as provided in the Plan. The provisions
of the trust agreement between the Company and the Trustee shall be considered
an integral part of the Plan as if fully set forth herein.
5.02 Investment of Trust Fund.
(a) Except for that portion of the Trust Fund to be invested in a
Participant's Loan Reserve pursuant to Section 9.08 or in TRASOP Shares pursuant
to Section 13.02, the Trust Fund shall be invested and reinvested in Investment
Funds in accordance with the Participants' investment directions. All such
investment directions by Participants shall be made in accordance with rules and
procedures prescribed by the Plan Administrator applied on a uniform and
non-discriminatory basis. To the extent that any Participant fails to provide
investment directions in accordance with such rules and procedures, the Named
Fiduciaries shall be responsible for directing the investment of amounts
allocated to the Participant's Account under the Plan. A Participant shall be
permitted to change investment directions both as to his existing Account
balance and future contributions by or on behalf of the Participant under the
Plan. Any such change in investment directions shall be made in accordance with
rules and procedures prescribed by the Plan Administrator applied on a uniform
and non-discriminatory basis.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 5.02(a) above, to carry out the transition to
Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company as Successor Trustee, Recordkeeper and
Investment Manager, contributions and loan repayments made after November 30,
1996 shall be invested by the Trustee in the mutual fund designated as the
"Vanguard Money Market Reserves-U.S. Treasury Portfolio". As soon as practicable
following establishment of Participant Accounts by the Recordkeeper, the
contributions and loan repayments so invested, together with any earnings
thereon, shall be transferred to the Investment Funds and allocated to a
Participant's Account in accordance with the Participant's election.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 5.02(a) above, to carry out the transition to
Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company as Successor Trustee, Recordkeeper and
Investment Manager, on December 31, 1996 the Trustee shall invest the assets of
the Trust Fund in the following Investment Funds:
(i) Assets in the Treasury Bill Fund shall be invested in
Vanguard Money Market Reserves-U.S. Treasury Portfolio;
(ii) Assets in the Fixed Income Fund shall be invested in the Fixed
Income Fund, an investment contract fund that invests primarily in a diversified
portfolio of traditional and alternative investments contracts issued by
insurance companies and banks and other similar types of fixed principal
investments;
(iii) Assets in the Balanced Fund shall be invested in Vanguard
LifeStrategy Funds-Moderate Growth Portfolio, a balanced fund that invests in a
combination of Vanguard funds with the overall objective of providing growth of
capital and a reasonable level of current income;
(iv) Assets in the Equity Index Fund shall be invested in Vanguard
Index Trust-500 Portfolio, a growth and income stock fund that holds 500 of the
largest stocks in the U.S. in an attempt to match the performance and risk
characteristics of Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index; and
(v) Assets in the Company Stock Fund shall be invested in the
Company Stock Fund that invests in Company common stock to provide the
possibility of long-term growth through increases in the value of the stock and
reinvestments of dividends and in a short-term reserves to help accommodate
daily transactions.
(d) As soon as practicable after December 31, 1996 as determined by the
Plan Administrator, the following additional Investment Funds shall be
established:
(i) Vanguard Bond Index Fund-Total Bond Market Portfolio, a bond
fund that invests in a broad array of bonds from a variety of industries in an
attempt to match the performance and risk characteristics of the Lehman Brothers
Aggregate Bond Index;
(ii) Vanguard Index Trust-Extended Market Portfolio, a growth stock
fund that invests in about 2000 companies in an attempt to match the performance
and risk characteristics of the Wilshire 4500 Index; and
(iii) Vanguard STAR Fund-Total International Portfolio, an
international stock fund that invests in stocks of about 1500 companies located
in approximately 30 countries around the world, excluding the U.S. and Canada.
The Portfolio invests in a combination of three portfolios of Vanguard
International Equity Index Fund in proportions that mirror the composition of
two indices compiled by Morgan Stanley Capital International: the Europe,
Australia and Far East Index and the Emerging Markets (Select) Index.
(e) The Named Fiduciaries may establish other Investment Funds (or modify
the investment objectives or mix of Investment Funds), in addition to or in lieu
of the Investment Funds described above. Such other Investment Funds shall be
established without the necessity of an amendment to the Plan and shall have the
objectives prescribed by the Named Fiduciaries. The Named Fiduciaries may
eliminate one or more Investment Funds existing at any time without the
necessity of an amendment to the Plan.
<PAGE>
5.03 Company Stock Fund.
(a) Investments in Fund. The Trustee shall regularly purchase Shares for
the Company Stock Fund in accordance with a nondiscretionary purchasing program.
Such purchases may be made on any securities exchange where Shares are traded,
in the over-the-counter market, or in negotiated transactions, and may be on
such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as the Trustee may determine to
be in the best interests of the Participants. Dividends, interest and other
income received on assets held in the Company Stock Fund shall be reinvested in
the Company Stock Fund. All funds to be invested in the Company Stock Fund shall
be invested by the Trustee in one or more transactions promptly after receipt by
the Trustee, subject to any applicable requirement of law affecting the timing
or manner of such transactions. All brokerage commissions and other direct
expenses incurred by the Trustee in the purchase or sale of Shares under the
Plan will be borne by the Plan except to the extent the Company determines to
pay such expenses.
(b) Units. The interests of Participants in the Company Stock Fund shall
be measured in Units, the number and value of which shall be determined daily.
(c) Voting of Shares. Each Participant shall be entitled to direct the
Trustee as to the manner in which any Shares or fractional Share represented by
Units allocated to the Participant's Account are to be voted. Any such Shares or
fractional Share for which the Participant does not give voting directions shall
be voted by the Trustee in the same manner and proportions as all other Shares
held by the Trustee for which voting directions are given by Participants. The
Trustee shall keep confidential a Participant's voting instructions and
information regarding a Participant's purchases, holdings and sales of Shares.
The Plan Administrator shall be responsible for monitoring the Trustee's
performance of its confidentiality obligations.
5.04 Accounts and Subaccounts. The
Recordkeeper shall maintain in any equitable manner, which shall include a daily
revaluation at current market values, as determined by the Trustee, a separate
TRASOP Account for each Participant eligible therefor and a separate Account for
each Participant, and within each such Account a Pre-Tax Subaccount, an
After-Tax Subaccount, a Rollover Subaccount and a Company Contribution
Subaccount, in which the Recordkeeper shall keep a separate record of the
respective shares of such Participant in the Trust Fund, including each
Investment Fund, and the Loan Reserve, attributable to amounts credited to his
Pre-Tax Subaccount, his After-Tax Subaccount, his Rollover Subaccount and his
Company Contribution Subaccount. A Participant's Pre-Tax Contributions shall be
credited to his Pre-Tax Subaccount. A Participant's After-Tax Contributions
shall be credited to his After-Tax Subaccount. A Participant's Rollover
Contributions shall be credited to his Rollover Subaccount. A Participant's
share of Company Contributions made on or after January 1, 1985 shall be
credited to his Company Contribution Subaccount.
5.05 Pre-January 1, 1985 Contributions.
Any contributions to the Trust Fund made by a Participant prior to January 1,
1985 shall, as of January 1, 1985, be credited to his After-Tax Subaccount. Any
contributions to the Trust Fund made by the Company and allocated to a
Participant's Account prior to January 1, 1985 shall be credited to the
Participant's Company Contribution Subaccount.
5.06 Statements of Account. As soon as practicable
after each calendar quarter the Recordkeeper shall cause to be sent to each
Participant a written statement showing, as of such date, the respective amounts
of the Trust Fund, including each investment Fund and the Loan Reserve,
attributable to the Participant's Pre-Tax Subaccount, his After-Tax Subaccount,
his Rollover Subaccount and his Company Contribution Subaccount and the
Participant's balance in his TRASOP Account, if any. With respect to the
Participant's After-Tax Subaccount, the statement shall show separately the
amount of the Participant's own contributions (less any withdrawals) credited to
his After-Tax Subaccount. The Plan Administrator may direct the Recordkeeper
from time to time to issue comparable statements to Participants as of other
dates during the calendar year.
5.07 Responsibility for Investments. Each
Participant is solely responsible for the selection of his Investment Funds. The
Trustee, the Recordkeeper, any Investment Manager, the Named Fiduciaries, the
Plan Administrator, the Company and the trustees, officers and other employees
of the Company, the Trustee, the Recordkeeper and any Investment Manager, are
not empowered to advise a Participant as to the decision in which his Account
shall be invested. The fact that an Investment Fund is available to Participants
for investment under the Plan shall not be construed as a recommendation for a
particular Participant to invest in that Investment Fund.
ARTICLE 6
Vesting
6.01 Participant Contributions. The amount to the
credit of a Participant's Account which is attributable to his Pre-Tax
Contributions, After-Tax Contributions and Rollover Contributions to the Trust
Fund made by the Participant shall be 100% vested at all times.
<PAGE>
6.02 Company Contributions. The amount to the credit
of a Participant's Account which is attributable to Company Contributions,
including contributions to the Trust Fund made by the Company prior to January
1, 1985, shall become 100% vested, subject to Article 8, on the later of (i)
January 1, 1985, and (ii) the first day of the calendar month in which the
Participant completes three years of Vesting Service; provided, however, that
all amounts to the credit of a Participant's Account which are attributable to
Company Contributions, shall become 100% vested upon the Participant's
attainment of age 65, his Disability, termination of his service by reason of
Retirement or death or by the Company for reasons other than cause. Except to
the extent that they shall have become vested, amounts to the credit of a
Participant's Account which are attributable to Company Contributions are
subject to forfeiture as provided in Section 7.02.
<PAGE>
6.03 TRASOP Account. A Participant's balance in his TRASOP
Account, if any, shall always be 100% vested.
ARTICLE 7
---------
Distributions, Withdrawals and Forfeitures
7.01 Retirement. If a Participant's service is terminated
by reason of Retirement, the entire amount to the credit of his Account
(including any amount due under any outstanding loan pursuant to Article 9)
shall be distributed to him in accordance with Section 7.09.
<PAGE>
7.02 Voluntary Termination or Termination by the Company; Forfeitures.
(a) If a Participant's service is terminated by the Company for cause or
if the Participant voluntarily terminates his service otherwise than by reason
of Retirement, the non-vested portion of the Participant's Company Contributions
Subaccount shall not be forfeited until the Participant incurs a period of Break
in Service of five years or receives a distribution of the Vested Portion of his
Account, if earlier. The Vested Portion to the credit of such Participant's
Account (including any amount due under any outstanding loan pursuant to Article
9) shall be distributed to such Participant in accordance with Section 7.09.
Termination of service for cause shall be determined by the Plan Administrator
under rules uniformly applied to all Participants. If the Participant is not
reemployed by the Company or an Affiliated Employer before he incurs a period of
Break in Service of five years or receives a distribution, the non-vested
portion of his Company Contribution Subaccount shall be forfeited.
<PAGE>
(b) If an amount to the credit of a Participant's Company Contributions
Subaccount has been forfeited in accordance with paragraph (a) above, such
amount shall subsequently be restored to his Company Contribution Subaccount by
the Company provided (i) he is reemployed by the Company or an Affiliated
Employer prior to incurring a period of Break in Service of five years and (ii)
either he has elected or is deemed to have elected a deferred distribution in
accordance with Section 7.09 or during his reemployment and within five years
after his reemployment date he makes a lump sum payment to the Trust Fund in
cash in an amount equal to that portion of the distribution received which
represents the Participant's Participating Contributions relating directly to
Company Contributions which were forfeited at the time of distribution. The
forfeited amount so restored shall vest in accordance with Section 6.02 as a
Company Contribution and shall be credited to the Participant's Company
Contribution Subaccount. The lump sum payment by the Participant shall
immediately be 100% vested and shall be credited to the Participant's Account.
<PAGE>
(c) If any amounts to be restored by the Company to a Participant's
Company Contributions Subaccount have been forfeited under paragraph (a) above,
those amounts shall be taken first from any forfeitures which have not as yet
been applied against Company contributions and if any amounts remain to be
restored, the Company shall make a special Company contribution equal to those
amounts.
(d) A Participant may elect, in such manner and on such terms as may be
prescribed by the Plan Administrator, to invest a repayment in the Investment
Funds available under the Plan to the Participant at the time of the repayment.
7.03 Death. Upon the death of a Participant the entire amount to the
credit of his Account (including any amount due under any outstanding loan
pursuant to Article 9) shall be distributed to his Beneficiary in accordance
with Section 11.03 as soon as practicable (but in any event within 90 days)
after the calendar month in which his death occurs.
7.04 Withdrawals. A Participant may request cash withdrawals
from his Account by making a withdrawal application in such manner and on such
conditions as may be prescribed by the Plan Administrator. Payment of the amount
withdrawn shall be made as soon as practicable after such application has been
completed and processed. Withdrawals shall be permitted not more than four times
in any calendar year and only in accordance with the following terms:
(a) Withdrawals will be made on an average cost basis within each category
below and pro rata from the Participant's balances available for withdrawal.
(b) A Participant may at any time withdraw an amount up to the entire
amount to the credit of his After-Tax and Company Contribution Subaccounts,
except that a Participant may not withdraw an amount attributable to a Company
Contribution until December 31 of the second calendar year beginning after the
calendar month for which the Company Contribution was made. A Participant shall
not be permitted to make any such withdrawal amounting to less than $300 unless
the maximum amount available under this paragraph (b) is less than $300 in which
case the Participant shall only be permitted to withdraw such maximum amount.
Withdrawals shall be made in the following order from a Participant's Account:
1. If the Participant requests a nontaxable withdrawal:
(i) Nonparticipating After-Tax Contributions made before
January 1, 1987, excluding any earnings thereon, and (ii)
Participating After-Tax Contributions made before January
1, 1987, excluding any earnings thereon.
2. If the Participant requests a taxable withdrawal, without
incurring a suspension as provided in (f) below:
(i) Nonparticipating After-Tax Contributions made before
January 1, 1987, excluding any earnings thereon;
(ii) Participating After-Tax Contributions made before January
1, 1987, excluding earnings thereon;
(iii) Nonparticipating After-Tax Contributions made on or after
January 1, 1987, including any earnings thereon;
(iv) Participating After-Tax Contributions made on or after January
1, 1987 that have been in the Account two full calendar years
after the year contributed, including any earnings thereon;
(v) Any earnings attributable to Nonparticipating After-Tax
Contributions made before January 1, 1987;
(vi) Any earnings attributable to Participating After-Tax
Contributions made before January 1, 1987; and
(vii) Company Contributions in the Account for two full calendar
years after the contribution year, including any earnings
thereon.
3. If the Participant requests a taxable withdrawal resulting in a
suspension as provided in (f) below:
(i) Nonparticipating After-Tax Contributions made before
January 1, 1987, excluding any earnings thereon;
(ii) Participating After-Tax Contributions made before January
1, 1987, excluding any earnings thereon;
(iii) Nonparticipating After-Tax Contributions made on or after
January 1, 1987, including any earnings thereon;
(iv) Participating After-Tax Contributions made on or after
January 1, 1987, including any earnings thereon;
(v) Any earnings attributable to Nonparticipating After-Tax
Contributions made before January 1, 1987;
(vi) Any earnings attributable to Participating After-Tax
Contributions made before January 1, 1987; and
(vii) Company Contributions in the Account for two full calendar
years after the contribution year, including any earnings
thereon.
(c) A Participant who has withdrawn at least the entire amount available
under (b) above without incurring a suspension may at any time withdraw an
amount up to the entire amount to the credit of his Rollover Subaccount.
(d) A Participant who has attained the age of 59 years and six months and
who has withdrawn at least the entire amounts available for withdrawal under
paragraphs (b) and (c) above without incurring a suspension, may withdraw an
amount up to the entire amount to the credit of his Pre-Tax Subaccount in the
following order:
1. If the Participant requests a withdrawal, without resulting in a
suspension under (f) below:
(i) Nonparticipating Pre-Tax Contributions, including any
earnings thereon, and
(ii) Participating Pre-Tax Contributions that have been in the
Account for two full calendar years after the year
contributed, including any earnings thereon.
<PAGE>
2. If the Participant requests a withdrawal resulting in a
suspension under (f) below:
(i) Participating After-Tax Contributions, made on or after
January 1, 1987 that have been in the Account for less than
two full calendar years after the contribution year, including
any earnings thereon;
(ii) Nonparticipating Pre-Tax Contributions, including any
earnings thereon; and
(iii) Participating Pre-Tax Contributions including any earnings
thereon. A Participant shall not be permitted to make any such
withdrawal amounting to less than $300 unless the maximum
amount available under this Section 7.04 is less than $300 in
which case the Participant shall only be permitted to withdraw
such maximum amount.
(e) Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs (b), (c) and (d), a
Participant may not withdraw any amount that would cause the balance of his
Account to be less than the minimum amount required under Section 9.09.
(f) In the event a Participant withdraws any amounts which represent
After-Tax Participating Contributions made at any time during the two full
calendar years preceding the calendar year in which the withdrawal is made, the
Participant's right to make any contributions to the Plan shall be suspended for
the six full calendar months as soon as practicable following the withdrawal. To
resume contributions following such suspension, the Participant must elect, on
or before such day, in such manner and on such conditions as may be prescribed
by the Plan Administrator, to resume making contributions.
7.05 Hardship Withdrawals. A Participant may, in the
event of hardship, withdraw all or any part of the amount of Pre-Tax
Contributions to the credit of the Account of the Participant (excluding any
earnings after December 31, 1988 attributable to Pre-Tax Contributions) in
excess of any minimum Account balance required under Section 9.09. A Participant
may apply for a hardship withdrawal in such manner and on such conditions as may
be prescribed by the Plan Administrator. For purposes of the Plan a Participant
shall be deemed to have a hardship if the Participant has an immediate and heavy
financial need and if the withdrawal is necessary to satisfy such financial need
as set forth below. The Plan Administrator or his delegate shall determine
whether the Participant satisfies the requirements for a hardship and the amount
of any hardship withdrawal. Any withdrawal under this Section shall be made
pro-rata from the Participant's balances in the Investment Funds from which
withdrawal may be made as provided in Section 7.04. A withdrawal pursuant to
this Section 7.05 shall not be subject to the limitations on number of
withdrawals permitted under Section 7.04.
<PAGE>
(a) Immediate and Heavy Financial Need - A Participant will be deemed to
have an immediate and heavy financial need if the withdrawal is to be made on
account of any of the following:
(1) Medical expenses described in Section 213(d) of the Code
previously incurred by the Participant, the Participant's
spouse or any dependent (as defined in Section 152 of the
Code) of the Participant, or expenses necessary for those
persons to obtain medical care described in Section 213(d) of
the Code;
(2) Costs directly related to the purchase
(excluding mortgage payments) of a
principal residence for the Participant;
(3) Payment of tuition and related educational fees for the next
twelve-months of post- secondary education for the
Participant, or the Participant's spouse, children or
dependents;
(4) Payment of amounts necessary to prevent the eviction of the
Participant from his principal residence or to avoid
foreclosure on the mortgage of the Participant's principal
residence; or
(5) Any other need added to the foregoing items of deemed
immediate and heavy financial needs by the Commissioner of the
Internal Revenue Service through the publication of revenue
rulings, notices and other documents of general availability,
rather than on an individual basis.
A Participant shall not be permitted to make a withdrawal in the event of a
hardship on account of any reason other than as set forth above.
<PAGE>
(b) Necessary to Satisfy Such Need - The requested withdrawal will not be
treated as necessary to satisfy the Participant's immediate and heavy financial
need to the extent that the amount of the requested withdrawal is in excess of
the amount required to relieve the financial need or to the extent such need may
be satisfied from other sources that are reasonably available to the
Participant. The amount of an immediate and heavy financial need may include any
amounts necessary to pay any federal, state or local income taxes or penalties
reasonably anticipated to result from the hardship withdrawal. The Participant
must request, on such form or otherwise as the Plan Administrator or his
delegate may prescribe, that the Plan Administrator or his delegate make its
determination of the necessity for the withdrawal solely on the basis of the
Participant's certification, without any supporting documents. In that event,
the Plan Administrator or his delegate shall make such determination, provided
all of the following requirements are met: (1) the Participant has obtained all
distributions and withdrawals, other than distributions available only on
account of hardship, and all nontaxable loans currently available under all
plans of the Company and Affiliated Employers, (2) the Participant is prohibited
from making Pre-Tax Contributions and After-Tax Contributions to the Plan and
all other plans of the Company and Affiliated Employers under the terms of such
plans or by means of an otherwise legally enforceable agreement for at least 12
months after receipt of the distribution, and (3) the limitation described in
Section 3.01(b) under all plans of the Company and Affiliated Employers for the
calendar year following the year in which the distribution is made must be
reduced by the Participant's elective deferrals made in the calendar year of the
distribution for hardship. For purposes of clause (2), "all other plans of the
Company and Affiliated Employers" means all qualified and non-qualified plans of
deferred compensation maintained by the Company and Affiliated Employers and
includes a stock option, stock purchase (including the Company's Discount Stock
Purchase Plan though it isn't a deferred compensation plan) and such other plans
as may be designated under regulations issued under Section 401(k) of the Code,
but shall not include health and welfare benefit plans and the mandatory
employee contribution portion of a Defined Benefit Plan.
7.06 Distribution from Company Stock Fund. Where an amount to be distributed
pursuant to Section 7.01, 7.02, or 7.03 is represented in part by Units, the
distributee may elect, in such manner and on such conditions as may be
prescribed by the Plan Administrator, to have distributed the number of whole
Shares represented by such Units, together with an amount of dollars
representing the balance of the current value of such Units. In the absence of
such an election, the distribution shall be made entirely in dollars.
Withdrawals pursuant to Section 7.04 or 7.05 and loans pursuant to Article 9 to
be made from the Company Stock Fund shall be made entirely in cash.
7.07 Leaves of Absence and Transfers to Weekly Payroll.
If a Participant shall be granted a leave of
absence by the Company or shall transfer from the management payroll to the
weekly payroll, neither such event shall be deemed a termination of service, but
such Participant's Pre-Tax Contributions and After-Tax Contributions under this
Plan shall be suspended as of the last day of the calendar month in which such
leave commences, or transfer occurs, as the case may be. Such Participant may
resume making Pre-Tax Contributions and After-Tax Contributions, as of the first
day of any calendar month following the termination of such leave of absence or
his return to the management payroll, as the case may be, by making a new
payroll deduction authorization in such manner and on such conditions as may be
prescribed by the Plan Administrator.
7.08 Age 70 1/2 Required Distribution
(a) In no event shall the provisions of this Article operate so as to
extend the time by which a distribution is to be made under any other provision
of the Plan or to allow the distribution of a Participant's Account to begin
later than the April 1 following the calendar year in which he attains age 70
1/2, provided that such commencement in active service shall not be required
with respect to a Participant (i) who does not own more than five percent of the
outstanding stock of the Company (or stock possessing more than five percent of
the total combined voting power of all stock of the Company), and (ii) who
attained age 70 1/2 prior to January 1, 1988.
(b) In the event a Participant in active service is required to begin
receiving payments while in service under the provisions of paragraph (a) above,
the Plan shall distribute to the Participant in each distribution calendar year
the minimum amount required to satisfy the provisions of Section 401(a)(9) of
the Code provided, however, that the payment for the first distribution calendar
year shall be made on or before April 1 of the following calendar year. Such
minimum amount will be determined on the basis of the joint life expectancy of
the Participant and his Beneficiary. Such life expectancy will be recalculated
once each year; however, the life expectancy of the Beneficiary will not be
recalculated if the Beneficiary is not the Participant's spouse. The amount of
the withdrawal shall be allocated among the Investment Funds in proportion to
the value of the Accounts as of the date of each withdrawal. The commencement of
payments under this Section shall not constitute an Annuity Starting Date for
purposes of Sections 72, 401(a)(11) and 417 of the Code. Upon the Participant's
subsequent termination of employment, payment of the Participant's Account shall
be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.09.
7.09 Form and Timing of Distributions.
(a) Distributions pursuant to Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall be made as
follows:
(i) the Vested Portion of the Participant's Account balance which
equals $3500 or less shall be distributed in a single lump sum
as soon as practicable, but not later than 60 days after the
end of the calendar year in which the Participant's
termination of employment occurs; or
(ii) unless the Participant makes an election under Section
7.09(b), the Vested Portion of the Participant's Account
balance which exceeds $3500 shall be deferred until the
Participant attains age 65 and the amount to the credit of
the Participant's Account as of the day he attains age 65
shall be distributed to him in a single lump sum as soon as
practicable thereafter. If the Participant fails to make
an election under Section 7.09(b), the Participant shall be
deemed to have elected the deferred distribution under this
Section 7.09(a)(ii).
<PAGE>
(b) In lieu of the deferred distribution upon attaining age 65 provided in
Section 7.09(a)(ii), the Participant may elect, in such manner and on such
conditions as may be
<PAGE>
prescribed by the Plan Administrator, one of the following:
(i) a distribution in a single lump sum as soon as practicable,
but not later than 60 days after the end of the calendar
year in which the Participant's termination occurs;
(ii) a distribution deferred until the last day of a calendar
month not later than the calendar month in which the
Participant attains age 70 as designated by the
Participant, in which event distribution of the
Participant's Account balance as of the last day of the
calendar month so designated by the Participant shall be
made in a single lump sum as soon as practicable after such
calendar month; or
(iii) a distribution in five annual installments as promptly as
practicable after the end of each calendar year commencing in
the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in
which the termination occurs, in which event each such annual
installment shall be an amount equal to the Participant's
Account balance as of December 31 of the previous year divided
by the number of annual installments remaining to be made
hereunder, except that the fifth such installment shall equal
the entire balance in the Participant's Account as of the
preceding December 31. Each such annual installment shall be
taken pro rata from the Participant's balances in the
Investment Funds under the Plan. 7.10 Status of Account Pending Distribution.
Until completely distributed the Account of a Participant who is entitled to a
distribution shall continue to be invested as part of the funds of the Plan.
7.11 Proof of Death and Right of Beneficiary or Other Person. The Plan
Administrator may require and rely upon such proof of death and such evidence of
the right of any Beneficiary or other person to receive the value of the Account
of a deceased Participant as the Plan Administrator may deem proper and his
determination of the right of that Beneficiary or other person to receive
payment shall be conclusive.
7.12 Distribution Limitation. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Article 7, all distributions from this Plan shall
conform to the regulations issued under Section 401(a)(9) of the Code, including
the incidental death benefit provisions of Section 401(a)(9)(G) of the Code.
Further, such regulations shall override any Plan provision that is inconsistent
with Section 401(a)(9) of the Code.
7.13 Direct Rollover of Certain Distributions. This Section applies to
distributions made on or after January 1, 1993. Notwithstanding any provision of
the Plan to the contrary that would otherwise limit a distributee's election
under this Section, a distributee may elect, in such manner and on such
conditions as may be prescribed by the Plan Administrator, to have any portion
of an eligible rollover distribution paid directly to an eligible retirement
plan specified by the distributee in a direct rollover. The following
definitions apply to the terms used in this Section:
(a) "Eligible rollover distribution" means any distribution of all or any
portion of the balance to the credit of the distributee, except that an eligible
rollover distribution does not include any distribution that is one of a series
of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually)
made for the life (or life expectancy) of the distributee or the joint lives (or
joint life expectancies) of the distributee and the distributee's designated
beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years or more, any distribution to
the extent such distribution is required under Section 401(a)(9) of the Code,
and the portion of any distribution that is not includible in gross income
(determined without regard to the exclusion for net unrealized appreciation with
respect to employer securities);
(b) "Eligible retirement plan" means an individual retirement account
described in Section 408(a) of the Code, an individual retirement annuity
described in Section 408(b) of the Code, an annuity plan described in Section
403(a) of the Code, or a qualified trust described in Section 401(a) of the
Code, that accepts the distributee's eligible rollover distribution. However, in
the case of an eligible rollover distribution to the surviving spouse, an
eligible retirement plan is an individual retirement account or individual
retirement annuity;
(c) "Distributee" means an employee or former employee. In addition, the
employee's or former employee's surviving spouse and the employee's or former
employee's spouse or former spouse who is the alternate payee under a qualified
domestic relations order as defined in Section 414(p) of the Code, are
distributees with regard to the interest of the spouse or former spouse; and
(d) "Direct rollover" means a payment by the Plan to the eligible
retirement plan specified by the distributee.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 8
Non-Discrimination and Limitation
8.01 Actual Deferral Percentage Test. The
Actual Deferral Percentage for Highly Compensated Employees who are Participants
or eligible to become Participants shall not exceed the Actual Deferral
Percentage for all other Employees who are Participants or eligible to become
Participants multiplied by 1.25. If the Actual Deferral Percentage for Highly
Compensated Employees does not meet the foregoing test, the Actual Deferral
Percentage for Highly Compensated Employees may not exceed the Actual Deferral
Percentage for all other Employees who are Participants or eligible to become
Participants by more than two percentage points, and the Actual Deferral
Percentage for Highly Compensated Employees may not be more than 2.0 times the
Actual Deferral Percentage for all other Employees (or such lesser amount as the
Plan Administrator shall determine to satisfy the provisions of Section 8.03).
The Plan Administrator may implement rules limiting the Pre-Tax Contributions
which may be made on behalf of some or all Highly Compensated Employees so that
this limitation is satisfied. If the Plan Administrator determines that the
limitation under this Section 8.01 has been exceeded in any Plan Year, the
following provisions shall apply:
(a) The amount of Pre-Tax Contributions made on behalf of some or all
Highly Compensated Employees shall be reduced until the provisions of this
Section are satisfied as follows. The actual deferral ratio of the
Highly-Compensated Employee with the highest actual deferral ratio shall be
reduced to the extent necessary to meet the test or to cause such ratio to equal
the actual deferral ratio of the Highly Compensated Employee with the next
highest ratio. This process will be repeated until the actual deferral
percentage test is passed. Each ratio shall be rounded to the nearest one
one-hundredth of one percent of the Participant's Statutory Compensation.
(b) Pre-Tax Contributions subject to reduction under this Section,
together with Earnings thereon, ("excess contributions") shall be paid to the
Participant before the close of the Plan Year following the Plan Year in which
the excess contributions were made and, to the extent practicable, within 2 1/2
months of the close of the Plan Year in which the excess contributions were
made. However, any excess contributions for any Plan Year shall be reduced by
any Pre-Tax Contributions previously returned to the Participant under Section
3.01 for that Plan Year. In the event any Pre-Tax Contributions returned under
this Section 8.01 were matched by Company Contributions, such corresponding
Company Contributions, with Earnings thereon, shall be forfeited and used to
reduce Company contributions. The Participant may elect, in lieu of a return of
the excess contributions, to have the Plan treat all or a portion of the excess
contributions to the Plan as After-Tax Contributions for the Plan Year in which
the excess contributions were made, subject to the limitations of Section 3.02.
Recharacterized excess contributions shall be considered After-Tax Contributions
made in the Plan Year to which the excess contributions relate for purposes of
Section 8.02 and shall be subject to the withdrawal provisions applicable to
After-Tax Contributions under Article 7. The Participant's election to
recharacterize Pre-Tax Contributions shall be made within 2 1/2 months of the
close of the Plan Year in which the excess contributions were made, or within
such shorter period as the Plan Administrator may prescribe. In the absence of a
timely election by the Participant, the Plan shall return his excess
contributions as provided in the paragraph (b).
8.02 Actual Contribution Percentage
Test. The Actual Contribution Percentage for Highly Compensated Employees who
are Participants or eligible to become Participants shall not exceed the Actual
Contribution Percentage for all other Employees who are Participants or eligible
to become Participants multiplied by 1.25. If the Actual Contribution Percentage
for the Highly Compensated Employees does not meet the foregoing test, the
Actual Contribution Percentage for Highly Compensated Employees may not exceed
the Actual Contribution Percentage of all other Employees who are Participants
or eligible to become Participants by more than two percentage points, and the
Actual Contribution Percentage for Highly Compensated Employees may not be more
than 2.0 times the Actual Contribution Percentage for all other Employees (or
such lesser amount as the Plan Administrator shall determine to satisfy the
provisions of Section 8.03). The Plan Administrator may implement rules limiting
the After-Tax Contributions which may be made by some or all Highly Compensated
Employees so that this limitation is satisfied. If the Plan Administrator
determines that the limitation under this Section 8.02 has been exceeded in any
Plan Year, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) The amount of After-Tax Contributions and Company Contributions made
by or on behalf of some or all Highly Compensated Employees in the Plan Year
shall be reduced until the provisions of this Section are satisfied as follows.
The actual contribution ratio of the Highly Compensated Employee with the
highest actual contribution ratio shall be reduced to the extent necessary to
meet the test or to cause such ratio to equal the actual contribution ratio of
the Highly-Compensated Employee with the next highest actual contribution ratio.
This process will be repeated until the actual contribution percentage test is
passed. Each ratio shall be rounded to the nearest one one-hundredth of one
percent of a Participant's Statutory Compensation.
(b) Any After-Tax Contributions and Company Contributions subject to
reduction under this Section, together with Earnings thereon ("excess aggregate
contributions"), shall be reduced and allocated in the following order:
(i) Nonparticipating After-Tax Contributions, to the extent of the
excess aggregate contributions, together with Earnings, shall
be paid to the Participant; and then, if necessary,
(ii) so much of the Participating After-Tax Contributions and
corresponding Company Contributions, together with
Earnings, as shall be necessary to meet the test shall be
reduced, with the After-Tax Contributions, together with
Earnings, being paid to the Participant and the Company
Contributions, together with Earnings, being reduced, with
vested Company Contributions being paid to the Participant,
and Company Contributions which are forfeitable under the
Plan being forfeited and applied to reduce Company
contributions; then if necessary,
(iii) so much of the Company Contributions, together with Earnings,
as shall be necessary to equal the balance of the excess
aggregate contributions shall be reduced, with vested Company
Contributions being paid to the Participant and Company
Contributions which are forfeitable under the Plan being
forfeited and applied to reduce Company contributions.
(c) Any repayment or forfeiture of excess aggregate contributions shall be
made before the close of the Plan Year following the Plan Year for which the
excess aggregate contributions were made and, to the extent practicable, any
repayments or forfeiture shall be made within 2 1/2 months of the close of the
Plan Year in which the excess aggregate contributions were made.
8.03 Aggregate Contribution Limitation.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 8.01 and 8.02, in no event shall the
sum of the Actual Deferral Percentage of the group of eligible Highly
Compensated Employees and the Actual Contribution Percentage of such group,
after applying the provisions of Sections 8.01 and 8.02, exceed the "aggregate
limit" as provided in Section 401(m)(9) of the Code and the regulations issued
thereunder. In the event the aggregate limit is exceeded for any Plan Year, the
Actual Contribution Percentages of the Highly Compensated Employees shall be
reduced to the extent necessary to satisfy the aggregate limit in accordance
with the procedure set forth in Section 8.02.
8.04 Additional Discrimination Testing Provisions.
(a) If any Highly Compensated Employee is either (i) a five percent owner
or (ii) one of the 10 highest paid Highly Compensated Employees, then any
Statutory Compensation paid to or any contribution made by or on behalf of any
member of his "family" shall be deemed paid to or made by or on behalf of such
Highly Compensated Employee for purposes of Sections 8.01, 8.02 and 8.03, to the
extent required under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury or
his delegate under Sections 401(k) and 401(m) of the Code. The contributions
required to be aggregated under the preceding sentence shall be disregarded in
determining the Actual Deferral Percentage and Actual Contribution Percentage
for the group of non-highly compensated employees for purposes of Sections 8.01,
8.02 and 8.03. Any return of excess contributions or excess aggregate
contributions required under Sections 8.01, 8.02 and 8.03 with respect to the
family group shall be made by allocating the excess contributions or excess
aggregate contributions among the family members in proportion to the
contributions made by or on behalf of each family member that is combined. For
purposes of this paragraph, the term "family" means, with respect to any
employee, such employee's spouse, any lineal ascendants or descendants and
spouses of such lineal ascendants or descendants.
(b) If any Highly Compensated Employee is a member of another qualified
plan of the Company or an Affiliated Employer, other than an employee stock
ownership plan described in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code or any other
qualified plan which must be mandatorily disaggregated under Section 410(b) of
the Code, under which deferred cash contributions or matching contributions are
made on behalf of the Highly Compensated Employee or under which the Highly
Compensated Employee makes after-tax contributions, the Plan Administrator shall
implement rules, which shall be uniformly applicable to all employees similarly
situated, to take into account all such contributions for the Highly Compensated
Employee under all such plans in applying the limitations of Section 8.01, 8.02
and 8.03. If any other such qualified plan has a plan year other than the Plan
Year, the contributions to be taken into account in applying the limitations of
Sections 8.01, 8.02 and 8.03 will be those made in the plan years ending with or
within the same calendar year.
(c) In the event that this Plan is aggregated with one or more other plans
to satisfy the requirements of Sections 401(a)(4) and 410(b) of the Code (other
than for purposes of the average benefit percentage test) or if one or more
other plans is aggregated with this Plan to satisfy the requirements of such
sections of the Code, then the provisions of Sections 8.01, 8.02 and 8.03 shall
be applied by determining the Actual Deferral Percentage and Actual Contribution
Percentage of employees as if all such plans were a single plan. If this Plan is
permissively aggregated with any other plan or plans for purposes of satisfying
the provisions of Section 401(k)(3) of the Code , the aggregated plans must also
satisfy the provisions of Section 401(a)(4) and 410(b) of the Code as though
they were a single plan. For Plan Years beginning after December 31, 1989, plans
may be aggregated under this paragraph (c) only if they have the same plan year.
(d) The Company may elect to use Pre-Tax Contributions to satisfy the
tests described in Sections 8.02 and 8.03, provided that the test described in
Section 8.01 is met prior to such election, and continues to be met following
the Company's election to shift the application of those Pre-Tax Contributions
from Section 8.01 to Section 8.02.
(e) The Company may authorize that special "qualified nonelective
contributions" shall be made for a Plan Year, which shall be allocated in such
amounts and to such Participants, who are not Highly Compensated Employees, as
the Named Fiduciaries shall determine. The Plan Administrator, shall establish
such separate accounts as may be necessary. Qualified nonelective contributions
shall be 100% nonforfeitable when made. Any qualified nonelective contributions
made on or after January 1, 1994 and any earnings credited on any qualified
nonelective contributions after such date shall only be available for withdrawal
under the provisions of Section 7.04(d). Qualified nonelective contributions
made for the Plan Year may be used to satisfy the tests described in Sections
8.01, 8.02 and 8.03, where necessary.
(f) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, employees
included in a unit of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement
shall be disregarded in applying the provisions of Sections 8.01, 8.02 and 8.03
except that the provisions of Section 8.01 above shall be applicable to that
group of employees on and after January 1, 1993 on the basis that those
employees are included in a separate cash-or-deferred arrangement.
8.05 Maximum Annual Additions.
(a) The annual addition to a Participant's Account for any Plan Year,
which shall be considered the "limitation year" for purposes of Section 415 of
the Code, when added to the Participant's annual addition for that Plan Year
under any other qualified Defined Contribution Plan of the Company or an
Affiliated Employer, shall not exceed an amount which is equal to the lesser of
(i) 25% of his aggregate remuneration for the Plan Year or (ii) the greater of
$30,000 or one-quarter of the dollar limitation in effect under Section
415(b)(1)(A) of the Code.
(b) For purposes of this Section, the "annual addition" to a Participant's
Account under this Plan or any other qualified Defined Contribution Plan
maintained by the Company or an Affiliated Employer shall be the sum of:
(i) the total contributions, including Pre-Tax Contributions,
made on the Participant's behalf by the Company and all
Affiliated Employers,
(ii) all Participant contributions, exclusive of any Rollover
Contributions, and
(iii) forfeitures, if applicable,
that have been allocated to the Participant's Account under this Plan or his
accounts under any other such qualified Defined Contribution Plan. For purposes
of this paragraph (b), any Pre-Tax Contributions distributed under Section 8.01
and any Company Contributions or After-Tax Contributions distributed or
forfeited under the provisions of Section 3.01, 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03 shall be
included in the annual addition for the year allocated.
(c) For purposes of this Section, the term "remuneration" with respect to
any Participant shall mean the wages, salaries and other amounts paid in respect
of the Participant by the Company or an Affiliated Employer for personal
services actually rendered, determined after any reduction of Compensation
pursuant to Section 3.01 or pursuant to a cafeteria plan as described in Section
125 of the Code, including (but not limited to) bonuses, overtime payments and
commissions, but excluding deferred compensation, stock options and other
distributions which receive special tax benefits under the Code.
(d) If the annual addition to a Participant's Account for any Plan Year,
prior to the application of the limitation set forth in paragraph (a) above,
exceeds that limitation due to a reasonable error in estimating a Participant's
annual compensation or in determining the amount of Pre-Tax Contributions that
may be made with respect to a Participant under Section 415 of the Code, or as
the result of the allocation of forfeitures, the amount of contributions
credited to the Participant's Account in that Plan Year shall be adjusted to the
extent necessary to satisfy that limitation in accordance with the following
order of priority:
<PAGE>
(i) The Participant's Nonparticipating After-Tax Contributions
under Section 3.02 shall be reduced to the extent necessary.
The amount of the reduction shall be returned to the
Participant, together with any earnings on the contributions
to be returned.
(ii) The Participant's Nonparticipating Pre-Tax Contributions under
Section 3.01 shall be reduced to the extent necessary. The
amount of the reduction shall be returned to the Participant,
together with any earnings on the contributions to be
returned.
(iii) The Participant's Participating After-Tax Contributions and
corresponding Company Contributions shall be reduced to the
extent necessary. The amount of the reduction attributable to
the Participant's Participating After-Tax Contributions shall
be returned to the Participant, together with any earnings on
those contributions to be returned, and the amount
attributable to the Company Contributions shall be forfeited
and used to reduce subsequent contributions payable by the
Company.
(iv) The Participant's Participating Pre-Tax Contributions and
corresponding Company Contributions shall be reduced to the
extent necessary. The amount of the reduction attributable
to the Participant's Participating Pre-Tax Contributions
shall be returned to the Participant, together with any
earnings on those contributions to be returned, and the
amount attributable to the Company Contributions shall be
forfeited and used to reduce subsequent contributions
payable by the Company.
Any Pre-Tax Contributions returned to a Participant under this paragraph (d)
shall be disregarded in applying the dollar limitation of Pre-Tax Contributions
under Section 3.01(b), and in performing the Actual Deferral Percentage Test
under Section 8.01. Any After-Tax Contributions returned under this paragraph
(d) shall be disregarded in performing the Actual Contribution Percentage Test
under Section 8.02.
8.06 Defined Benefit Plan Limitation. If a
Participant is or ever was a participant in a Defined Benefit Plan then prior to
restricting any Annual Addition under this Plan the rate of benefit accruals
under such Defined Benefit Plan shall first be reduced so as to cause the sum,
for any limitation year, of the Participant's Defined Benefit Plan Fraction and
the Participant's Defined Contribution Plan Fraction not to exceed 1.0.
ARTICLE 9
Loans
9.01 Loans Permitted. A Participant who is not on a leave
of absence and remains on the active payroll may, with the approval of the Plan
Administrator under such uniform rules as the Plan Administrator may adopt,
borrow from his Account upon terms and conditions set forth in this Article 9.
Any loans made prior to October 19, 1989 shall be subject to this Article 9 and
the rules in effect thereunder at the time such loans were made. Any loans made,
renewed, renegotiated, modified or extended on or after October 19, 1989 shall
be subject to this Article 9 as amended effective as of such date. Effective as
of October 19, 1989 the Plan Administrator is authorized to administer the loan
program under this Article 9. Any Participant who is an Employee, and any
Participant who is a former Employee and a "party-in-interest" (as defined in
Section 3(14) of ERISA) to the Plan, may borrow from his Account, upon
application made in such manner and on such conditions as the Plan Administrator
may prescribe and under such uniform and non-discriminatory rules as the Plan
Administrator may adopt.
<PAGE>
9.02 Amount of Loans. The minimum amount of any loan
pursuant to this Article 9 shall be $1,000. The amount of any such loan to a
Participant, together with the outstanding balance of all other such loans to
the same Participant, shall not exceed the lesser of (a) or (b) where (a) is
$50,000 reduced by the excess (if any) of (i) the highest outstanding balance of
loans to the Participant from the Plan during the one year period ending on the
day before the date on which such loan is made, over (ii) the outstanding
balance of loans to the Participant from the Plan on the date on which such loan
is made, and (b) is one-half of the Vested Portion of the Participant's Account
balance. Outstanding balance of loans means the outstanding amount of all loans
from the Plan and any other plans of the Company.
9.03 Source of Loans. Funds for loans from a Participant's
Account shall be taken from the Participant's Subaccounts in the following
order:
(i) Nonparticipating Pre-Tax Contributions and earnings thereon;
(ii) Participating Pre-Tax Contributions and earnings thereon; (iii)
Rollover Contributions and earnings thereon; (iv) Vested Company
Contributions that have been in the Account
for two full calendar years after the contribution year and
earnings thereon;
<PAGE>
(v) Vested Company Contributions that have been in the Account for
less than two full calendar years after the contribution year
and earnings thereon;
<PAGE>
(vi) Nonparticipating After-Tax Contributions and earnings
thereon; and
(vii) Participating After-Tax Contributions and earnings thereon. No
loan shall be made from a Subaccount or a part of a Subaccount until exhaustion
of the entire balance in the Subaccount or part of the Subaccount preceding it
on the above list. Within each Subaccount or part thereof, funds for loans will
be taken on an average cost basis and pro-rata from each Investment Fund within
the Subaccount or part of the Subaccount and such pro-rata portion of each
Investment Fund will be converted to cash for the loan based upon the market
value of the investment on the date of conversion.
9.04 Interest Rate. The interest rate to be charged on loans
pursuant to this Article 9 shall be a reasonable rate of interest determined
from time to time by the Plan Administrator. In determining such rate the Plan
Administrator shall seek to provide to the Plan a rate of return commensurate
with the interest rates charged by persons in the business of lending money for
loans that would be made under similar circumstances on the date the loan is
approved. The interest rate will be fixed for the entire term of the loan.
9.05 Repayment. The Participant may select a period of one, two,
three, four or five years for repayment of a loan, except that the Participant
may, at his option, select a longer period of whole years, not exceeding ten,
for repayment of a loan for the purpose of purchasing his principal residence.
Repayment shall be made by level monthly payments in such amount as shall be
sufficient to pay the principal and interest thereon over the period for
repayment. Repayment shall be made by payroll deductions, except that in the
case of a Participant who is not on the active payroll, repayment shall be made
by check or other similar means as the Plan Administrator shall determine.
Prepayment of a loan in full may be made without penalty at any time. Partial
prepayment of a loan may be made at any time without penalty by a cash payment
of not less than $1000.00 or by additional repayments of principal made by
payroll deduction. The amount of each monthly payment shall be restored to the
Participant's Subaccounts in the same proportion as the loan was taken from such
Subaccounts. However, the amount of each such monthly payment shall be placed
into Investment Funds, except the Company Stock Fund, in accordance with the
most recent investment election made by the Participant with respect to the
Participant's Contributions.
9.06 Multiple Loans. No more than one loan may be granted to
a Participant in a calendar year unless all earlier loans made in the same
calendar year to the Participant shall have been repaid in full.
<PAGE>
9.07 Pledge. The Vested Portion of the Participant's Account balance
shall be pledged as security for all loans to the Participant pursuant to this
Article 9. The amount pledged shall not be greater than fifty percent of the
Participant's Vested Portion. If a default shall occur in the repayment of a
loan, the entire unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest if any: (i)
shall be charged, when the Participant becomes eligible to receive a
distribution, against that portion of the Participant's Vested Portion which
serves as security for the loan; (ii) shall be deducted, if a distribution is to
made, from the amount payable to the Participant or the Participant's
Beneficiary; or (iii) if neither (i) nor (ii) applies, shall continue to
encumber that portion of the Participant's Vested Plan Account balance Portion
that serves as security for the loan.
9.08 Loan Reserve. The amount of each loan to a Participant
shall be transferred from the portion of the Trust Fund held for the
Participant's Account and invested pursuant to Section 5.02 to a special Loan
Reserve maintained for such Participant's Account. Such Loan Reserve shall be
invested solely in the loan or loans made to the Participant. Payments on any
such loan will reduce the Participant's Loan Reserve and shall be reinvested for
the Participant's Account in accordance with Section 9.05.
9.09 Minimum Account Balance. So long as any
amount of a loan shall remain outstanding to a Participant, the Participant
may not make any withdrawal from his Account
that would reduce the value of his Vested Portion to less than his Loan Reserve.
9.10 Consent. No loan shall be made pursuant to this Article 9
without the prior consent of the Participant and the Participant's spouse, if
any, at the time of application for the loan. Such consent shall be required for
(1) the making of the loan from the Participant's Account and (2) the deduction
of the full outstanding loan balance, including interest and principal, from the
Participant's Account in the event of default, as provided in this Article 9.
Such consent may not be revoked by the Participant or the Participant's spouse
after the loan proceeds are paid to the Participant. Such consent shall be in
writing on a form furnished by the Company and shall be witnessed by a Notary
Public. Any renegotiation, extension, renewal or other revision of a loan shall
also require prior consent by the Participant and the Participant's spouse, if
any, in the manner described above. Spousal consent shall not be required for
loans made after March 1, 1994.
9.11 Other Terms. Each loan made pursuant to this Article 9
shall be evidenced by a promissory note payable to the Trustee. Such loans shall
be upon such additional terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator shall
determine, applied in a uniform and non-discriminatory manner. The terms and
conditions of any loan may be adjusted at any time, to the extent determined by
the Plan Administrator to be necessary for compliance with law or to maintain
the qualification of the Plan under the Code.
ARTICLE 10
Administration of the Plan
10.01 Named Fiduciaries and Plan Administrator. The following persons from time
to time occupying the following offices of the Company are hereby designated as
Named Fiduciaries: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief
Accounting Officer. The Company may designate other persons who, upon acceptance
of such designation, shall serve as Named Fiduciaries either instead of or in
addition to those named above. Any such designation and acceptance shall be in
writing and retained by the Plan Administrator. The Named Fiduciaries shall act
by majority rule. The Named Fiduciaries shall appoint from among the officers of
the Company a Plan Administrator who shall serve at the discretion of the Named
Fiduciaries. The Plan Administrator shall serve without compensation for his
services as such and shall act solely in the interest of the Participants and
their Beneficiaries.
10.02 Authority of Plan Administrator. The
Plan Administrator shall have discretionary authority to control and manage the
operation and administration of the Plan; and, without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, may interpret the Plan, determine eligibility for benefits
under the Plan, determine any facts or resolve any questions relevant to the
administration of the Plan and, in connection therewith, may remedy and correct
any ambiguities, inconsistencies, or omissions in the Plan. Any such action
taken by the Plan Administrator shall be conclusive and binding on all
Participants, Beneficiaries and other persons. The Plan Administrator is
authorized to make any changes to the Plan that he, in his sole discretion,
determines are necessary or desirable to carry out the transition to Vanguard
Fiduciary Trust Company as Trustee, Recordkeeper and Investment Manager for the
Plan, the addition of new Investment Funds and the change to daily valuation of
Accounts, and to make any other changes to facilitate administration of the
Plan.
10.03 RReliance on Reports. The Named Fiduciaries and
the Plan Administrator shall be entitled to rely upon any opinions, reports, or
other advice which shall be furnished by specialists, subject to fiduciary
responsibilities imposed by ERISA.
10.04 Delegation of Authority. With approval of the
Named Fiduciaries, the Plan Administrator may designate one or more persons to
exercise any power, or perform any duty, of the Plan Administrator. Any such
designation shall be in writing and signed by the Plan Administrator and the
Named Fiduciaries and a copy thereof shall be delivered to the Trustee.
10.05 Administration Expenses. All expenses arising
in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Plan,
except to the extent that the Company decides to pay such expenses and except
expenses arising from administration of TRASOP within the Trust which shall be
paid in accordance with the following paragraph.
The expenses of administration of the TRASOP within the Trust shall
include, without limitation, transfer taxes, postage, brokerage commissions and
other direct selling expenses incurred by the Trustee in the sale of Shares
pursuant to Section 13.04, losses incurred by the Trustee on funds invested
pursuant to Section 13.02, and fees of the Trustee in connection with the
administration of TRASOP within this Trust, including fees for legal services
rendered to the Trustee (whether or not rendered in connection with a judicial
or administrative proceeding and whether or not incurred while it is acting as
Trustee), but shall exclude brokerage fees and commissions for purchases of
Shares pursuant to Section 13.02, which brokerage fees and commissions shall be
paid out of the dividends being reinvested thereby. Such expenses of
administration of TRASOP within the Trust shall, to the extent permitted by law,
be paid:
<PAGE>
first, out of any available income of TRASOP;
second, out of any available dividends received by the Trustee on
Shares allocated to Participants pursuant to Section 13.02, which
dividends have not then been applied to the purchase of additional
Shares pursuant to Section 13.02; and
third, by the Company.
Provided, however, that in no event shall the amounts paid by the Trustee during
such Plan Year pursuant to clauses "first" and "second" above, exceed the
smaller of:
(a) the sum of 10 percent of the first $100,000 and 5 percent of any
amount in excess of $100,000 of the income from dividends paid to the Trustee
with respect to common stock of the Company during such Plan Year; or
(b) $100,000.
10.06 Fiduciary Insurance. The Company may purchase and
carry fiduciary responsibility insurance under which each member of the Board,
each Named Fiduciary, the Plan Administrator, or any person to whom there may be
delegated any responsibility in connection with the administration of the Plan,
including the Trustee, will be indemnified against any cost or expense
(including counsel's fees) or liability which may be incurred arising out of any
act or failure to act in the administration of this Plan, except for gross
negligence or willful misconduct.
10.07Claim Review.
(a) Any denial by the Plan Administrator of a claim for benefits
under the Plan by a Participant or Beneficiary shall be stated in writing by the
Plan Administrator and delivered or mailed to the Participant or Beneficiary
within 90 days following the date on which the claim is filed; and such notice
shall set forth the specific reasons for the denial, written in a plain and
understandable manner, specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions on which
the denial is based, a description of any additional material or information
necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such
material or information is necessary and an explanation of the Plan's claim
review procedure. If special circumstances require an extension of time for
processing the claim, written notice of an extension shall be furnished to the
claimant prior to the end of the initial period of 90 days following the date on
which the claim was filed. Such an extension may not exceed a period of 90 days
beyond the end of the initial period. If the claim has not been granted, and if
written notice of the denial of the claim is not furnished within 90 days
following the date on which the claim is filed, the claim shall be deemed denied
for the purpose of proceeding to the claim review procedure.
(b) Claim Review Procedure. A Participant, Beneficiary, or the authorized
representative of either shall have 60 days after receipt of written
notification of denial of a claim to request a review of the denial by making
written request to the Plan Administrator. Within 30 days following receipt of
such requests for review, the Plan Administrator shall review his prior decision
denying the claim. The Plan Administrator shall give the Participant,
Beneficiary, or the authorized representative of either an opportunity to appear
to review pertinent documents, to submit issues and comments in writing, and to
present evidence supporting the claim.
Not later than 60 days after receipt of the request for review, the Plan
Administrator shall render and furnish to the claimant a written decision which
shall include specific reasons for the decision, and shall make specific
references to pertinent Plan provisions on which it is based. If special
circumstances require an extension of time for processing, the decision shall be
rendered as soon as possible, but not later than 120 days after receipt of the
request for review, provided that written notice and explanation of the delay
are given to the claimant prior to commencement of the extension. Such decision
by the Plan Administrator shall not be subject to further review. If a decision
on review is not furnished to a claimant within the specified time period, the
claim shall be deemed to have been denied on review.
(c) Exhaustion of Remedy. No claimant shall institute any action or
proceeding in any state or federal court of law or equity, or before any
administrative tribunal or arbitrator, for a claim for benefits under the Plan,
until he or she has first exhausted the procedures set forth in this section.
10.08 Appointment of Trustee. The Trustee and
any successor thereto shall be appointed by the Board.
10.09 Limitation of Liability. The Company, the
Board, the Named Fiduciaries, the Plan Administrator, and any officer, employee
or agent of the Company shall not incur any liability individually or on behalf
of any other individuals or on behalf of the Company for any act or failure to
act, made in good faith in relation to the Plan or the funds of the Plan.
However, this limitation shall not act to relieve any such individual or the
Company from a responsibility or liability for any fiduciary responsibility,
obligation or duty under Part 4, Title I, of ERISA.
ARTICLE 11
Miscellaneous
11.01 Exclusive Benefit; Amendments. It shall
be impossible for any part of the corpus or income of the Trust Fund to be used
for or diverted to purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of
Participants, Beneficiaries and other persons entitled to benefits under the
Plan and for paying the expenses of the Plan not paid by the Company, or to
deprive any of them of his vested interest in the Trust Fund. No person shall
have any interest in, or right to, any part of the Trust Fund except as and to
the extent expressly provided in the Plan. Subject to the foregoing, the Plan
may be amended, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time by the
Board or pursuant to authority granted by the Board and any amendment may be
given such retroactive effect as the Board or its duly authorized delegate may
determine.
11.02 Termination; Sale of Assets of Subsidiary.
(a) The Plan may be terminated or partially terminated or contributions
under the Plan may be permanently discontinued for any reason at any time by the
Board. In the event of termination or partial termination of the Plan or
permanent discontinuance of contributions under the Plan: (i) no contribution
shall be made thereafter except for a month the last day of which coincides with
or precedes such termination or discontinuance; (ii) no distribution shall be
made except as provided in the Plan; (iii) the rights of all Participants to the
entire amounts to the credit of their Accounts as of the date of such
termination or partial termination or discontinuance shall become 100% vested;
(iv) no person shall have any right or interest except with respect to the Trust
Fund; and (v) the Trustee shall continue to act until the Trust Fund shall have
been distributed in accordance with the Plan.
(b) Upon termination of the Plan, Pre-Tax Contributions, with earnings
thereon, shall only be distributed to Participants if (i) neither the Company
nor an Affiliated Employer establishes or maintains a successor defined
contribution plan, and (ii) payment is made to the Participants in the form of a
lump sum distribution (as defined in Section 402(d)(4) of the Code, without
regard to clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (A), subparagraph (B), or
subparagraph (F) thereof). For purposes of this paragraph, a "successor defined
contribution plan" is a defined contribution plan (other than an employee stock
ownership plan as defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code ("ESOP") or a
simplified employee pension as defined in Section 408(k) of the Code ("SEP))
which exists at the time the Plan is terminated or within the 12 month period
beginning on the date all assets are distributed. However, in no event shall a
defined contribution plan be deemed a successor plan if fewer than two percent
of the employees who are eligible to participate in the Plan at the time of its
termination are or were eligible to participate under another defined
contribution plan of the Company or an Affiliated Employer (other than an ESOP
or a SEP) at any time during the period beginning 12 months before and ending 12
months after the date of the Plan's termination.
(c) Upon the disposition by the Company of at least 85 percent of the
assets (within the meaning of Section 409(d)(2) of the Code) used by the Company
in a trade or business or upon the disposition by the Company of its interest in
a subsidiary (within the meaning of Section 409(d)(3) of the Code), Pre-Tax
Contributions, with earnings thereon, may be distributed to those Participants
who continue in employment with the employer acquiring such assets or with the
sold subsidiary, provided that (a) the Company maintains the Plan after the
disposition, (b) the buyer does not adopt the Plan or otherwise become a
participating employer in the Plan and does not accept any transfer of assets or
liabilities from the Plan to a plan it maintains in a transaction subject to
Section 414(l)(1) of the Code, an (c) payment is made to the Participant in the
form of a lump sum distribution (as defined in Section 402(d)(4) of the Code,
without regard to clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (A), subparagraph
(B), or subparagraph (F) thereof).
11.03 Beneficiaries. Upon the death of a Participant his
entire nonforfeitable accrued benefit under the Plan shall be payable in a lump
sum to his surviving spouse unless there is no surviving spouse of the
Participant or such surviving spouse has consented, in the manner provided in
this Section 11.03, to a designation of a Beneficiary or Beneficiaries in
addition to or instead of such spouse and such designation is in effect at the
time of the Participant's death. Each Participant may designate a Primary and
Contingent Beneficiary or Beneficiaries to receive the Participant's benefits
under the Plan in a lump sum in the event of death of such Participant prior to
distribution of such benefits, by filing prior to his death, a written
designation with the Plan on a form furnished by the Plan Administrator or his
delegate, provided that such designation shall be effective only if (1) such
designation is accompanied by the written consent of the Participant's spouse
which acknowledges the effect on the spouse of the designation and is witnessed
by a Notary Public, or (2) the Participant is not married. Any such designation
made by an unmarried Participant shall become null and void during any
subsequent marriage (unless consented to in the manner described above by the
spouse of that marriage) and any consent of a spouse shall be effective only
with respect to such spouse. If, at the time of a Participant's death, there is
no surviving spouse of the Participant and no designation of a Beneficiary by
such Participant is in effect, then the Participant's benefits shall be payable
in a lump sum to his estate or legal representative. A Participant may revoke a
designation made pursuant to this Section 11.03 by signing and filing with the
Plan Administrator a written instrument to that effect, in such manner and on
such conditions as may be prescribed by the Plan Administrator, or by filing a
new designation pursuant to this Section 11.03. The consent of a Participant's
spouse may not be revoked, but such spouse's consent shall be required for every
designation of a Beneficiary other than the Participant's spouse and for every
change in any such designation. The requirement for spousal consent may be
waived by the Plan Administrator if he believes there is no spouse, or the
spouse cannot be located, or because of such other circumstances as may be
established by applicable law.
11.04 Assignment of Benefits.
(a) No Participant or Beneficiary shall have the right to assign,
transfer, alienate, pledge, encumber or subject to lien any benefits to which he
is entitled under the Plan, and benefits under the Plan shall not be subject to
adverse legal process of any kind, except that nothing in this Section shall
preclude payment of Plan benefits pursuant to a qualified domestic relations
order as defined in Section 414(p) of the Code and Section 206(d) of ERISA. The
Plan Administrator shall establish a written procedure to determine the
qualified status of domestic relations orders and to administer distributions
under such qualified orders.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the amount payable
to the alternate payee under the qualified domestic relations order is $3,500 or
less, such amount shall be paid in one lump sum as soon as practicable following
the qualification of the order. If the amount exceeds $3,500, it may be paid as
soon as practicable following the qualification of the order if the alternate
payee consents thereto; otherwise it may not be payable before the earliest of
(i) the Participant's termination of employment, (ii) the time such amount could
be withdrawn under Article 7 or (iii) the Participant's attainment of age 50.
11.05 Merger. The Plan may not be merged or consolidated with, or
its assets or liabilities may not be transferred to any other plan unless each
person entitled to benefits under the Plan would, if the resulting plan were
then terminated, receive immediately after the merger or consolidation, or
transfer of assets or liabilities, a benefit which is equal to or greater than
the benefit he would have been entitled to receive immediately before the
merger, consolidation or transfer if the Plan had then terminated.
11.06 Conditions of Employment Not Affected by Plan. The establishment and
maintenance of the Plan shall not confer any legal rights upon any Employee or
other person for a continuation of employment, nor shall it interfere with the
rights of the Company to discharge any Employee and to treat him without regard
to the effect which that treatment might have upon him as a Participant or
potential Participant of the Plan.
11.07 Facility of Payment. If the Plan Administrator
shall find that a Participant or other person entitled to a benefit is unable to
care for his affairs because of illness or accident or is a minor, the Plan
Administrator may direct that any benefit due him, unless claim shall have been
made for the benefit by a duly appointed legal representative, be paid to his
spouse, a child, a parent or other blood relative, or to a person with whom he
resides. Any payment so made shall be a complete discharge of the liabilities of
the Plan for that benefit.
11.08 IInformation. Each Participant, Beneficiary or other
person entitled to a benefit, before any benefit shall be payable to him or on
his account under the Plan, shall file with the Plan Administrator the
information that the Plan Administrator shall require to establish his rights
and benefits under the Plan.
11.09 Additional Participating Employers.
(a) If any company is or becomes a subsidiary of or associated with the
Company, the Board may include the employees of that subsidiary or associated
company in the participation of the Plan upon appropriate action by that company
necessary to adopt the Plan. In that event, or if any persons become Employees
of the Company as the result of merger or consolidation or as the result of
acquisition of all or part of the assets or business of another company, the
Board shall determine to what extent, if any, previous service with the
subsidiary, associated or other company shall be recognized under the Plan, but
subject to the continued qualification of the trust for the Plan as tax-exempt
under the Code.
(b) Any subsidiary or associated company may terminate its participation
in the Plan upon appropriate action by it. In that event the funds of the Plan
held on account of Participants in the employ of that company, and any unpaid
balances of the Account of all Participants who have separated from the employ
of that company, shall be determined by the Plan Administrator. Those funds
shall be distributed as provided in Section 11.02 if the Plan should be
terminated, or shall be segregated by the Trustee as a separate trust, pursuant
to certification to the Trustee by the Plan Administrator, continuing the Plan
as a separate plan for the employees of that company under which the board of
directors of that company shall succeed to all the powers and duties of the
Board, including the appointment of the Named Fiduciaries and Plan
Administrator.
11.10IRS Determination. All contributions made to the
Trust Fund after December 31, 1984, and all loans made pursuant to Article 9,
which are made prior to the receipt by the Company of a determination from the
Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the Plan, as amended, is a qualified
plan under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Code or the refusal of the IRS in
writing to issue such a determination, shall be made on the express condition
that such determination is received. In the event the Internal Revenue Service
determines that the Plan is not so qualified or refuses in writing to make such
determination, such contributions, increased by any earnings thereon, and
reduced by any losses thereon and by the outstanding balance (principal and
interest) on any loans made under Article 9, shall be returned to the Company
and Participants, as appropriate, as promptly as practicable after such
determination. In the event the Internal Revenue Service requires reductions in
such contributions and/or changes in the terms and conditions of such loans as a
condition of its determination that the Plan is so qualified, the required
reductions in contributions, increased by any earnings and reduced by any losses
attributable thereto, shall be returned to the Company and Participants, as
appropriate, and/or the amounts and terms and conditions of any such outstanding
loans shall be modified to meet Internal Revenue Service requirements, as
promptly as practicable after notification from the Internal Revenue Service. If
all or part of the Company's deductions under Section 404 of the Code for
Company Contributions to the Plan are disallowed by the Internal Revenue
Service, the portion of the Company Contributions to which the disallowance
applies shall be returned to the Company without earnings thereon, but reduced
by any losses attributable thereto. The return shall be made within one year
after the denial of qualification or disallowance of deduction, as the case may
be.
11.11 Mistaken Contributions. Any contribution made
by mistake of fact shall be returnable, without any earnings thereon but reduced
by any losses attributable thereto, to the Company and/or Participants, as
appropriate within one year after the payment of the contribution.
11.12 PrPrevention of Escheat. If the Plan
Administrator cannot ascertain the whereabouts of any person to whom a payment
is due under the Plan, the Plan Administrator may, no earlier than three years
from the date such payment is due, mail a notice of such due and owing payment
to the last known address of such person, as shown on the records of the Plan or
Company. If such person has not made written claim therefor within three months
of the date of the mailing, the Plan Administrator may, if he so elects and upon
receiving advice from counsel to the Plan, direct that such payment and all
remaining payments otherwise due such person be canceled on the records of the
Plan and the amount thereof applied to reduce the contributions of the Company.
Upon such cancellation, the Plan and the Trust shall have no further liability
therefor except that, in the event such person or his beneficiary later notifies
the Plan Administrator of his whereabouts and requests the payment or payments
due to him under the Plan, the amount so applied shall be paid to him in
accordance with the provisions of the Plan.
11.13 Limitations Imposed on
Insider Participants. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the
contrary, an Insider Participant's right to direct investments under the Plan,
and his right to withdrawals and loans under Articles 7 and 9 shall be subject
to such limitations and restrictions as may be imposed by the Plan Administrator
from time to time to comply with the conditions for the employee benefit plan
exemptions to the short-swing trading liability rules of Section 16(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
11.14Construction. The Plan shall be construed, regulated and
administered under ERISA and the laws of the State of New York, except where
ERISA controls.
ARTICLE 12
Top-Heavy Provisions
12.01 Application of Top-Heavy
Provisions. For any Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 1984 in which the
Plan shall on the last day of such Plan Year ("Determination Date"), be either
(i) a Top-Heavy Plan or (ii) a part of a "required aggregation group" (as
defined in Section 12.03) that is a Top-Heavy Group and not also a part of a
"permissive aggregation group" (as defined in Section 12.03) that is not a
Top-Heavy Group, the provisions of Article 12 shall apply, notwithstanding any
other conflicting provisions of the Plan.
12.02Minimum Benefit for Top-Heavy Year. For any Plan Year for which this
Article 12 is applicable, each Participant, who is employed by the Company
on the last day of such year and who is not a Key Employee, shall accrue
the Minimum Benefit for Top-Heavy year provided under paragraph 22 of the
Consolidated Edison Retirement Plan for Management Employees. For purposes
of this Article 12, "Key Employee" means an employee who is in the category
of employees determined in accordance with the provisions of Sections
416(i)(l) and (5) of the Code and any regulations thereunder, and where
applicable, on the basis of the Employee's Statutory Compensation from the
Company or an Affiliated Employer.
12.03 Aggregation Groups.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Plan shall not
be a Top-Heavy Plan if it is part of either a "required aggregation group" or a
"permissive aggregation group" that is not a Top-Heavy Group.
(b) The "required aggregation group" consists of:
(i) each Defined Contribution Plan or Defined Benefit Plan in
which at least one Key Employee participates; and
(ii) each other Defined Contribution Plan or Defined Benefit Plan
which enables a plan referred to in the preceding subparagraph
(i) to meet the nondiscrimination requirements of Section
401(a)(4) or 410 of the Code.
(c) A "permissive aggregation group" consists of the plans included in the
"required aggregation group" plus any one or more other Defined Contribution
Plans or Defined Benefit Plans which, when considered as a group with the
"required aggregation group", would continue to meet the nondiscrimination
requirements of Section 401(a)(4) and 410 of the Code.
12.04 Special Benefit Limits. For any Plan Year for
which this Article 12 is applicable the definitions of "Defined Benefit Plan
Fraction" and "Defined Contribution Plan Fraction" in Sections 1.20 and 1.22,
respectively, shall be modified in each case by substituting "1.0" for "1.25".
12.05 Special Distribution Rule. For any
Plan Year for which this Article 12 is applicable, Section 7.08(a) shall
apply to Key Employees.
ARTICLE 13
Tax Reduction Act Stock Ownership Plan
13.01 Purpose; Separate Entity.
(a) TRASOP, which is a stock bonus plan established under the Act, is
intended to give eligible participants an equity interest in the Company and to
encourage them to remain in the employ of the Company. TRASOP is designed to
invest primarily in Shares. Applicable laws do not permit additional
contributions to TRASOP by the Company or by Employees, but the Company desires
to continue the TRASOP Accounts of Participants having such accounts.
Accordingly, effective as of July 1, 1988, all TRASOP Accounts were transferred
to this Plan, and all TRASOP provisions which continue to be applicable were
added to this Plan and shall, together with other applicable provisions of this
Plan, govern TRASOP Accounts.
(b) Accounts and TRASOP Accounts shall be administered separately,
although they shall be held as part of the same Trust Fund. There shall be no
transfers between TRASOP Accounts and Accounts and Sub-Accounts.
(c) All matters relating to TRASOP which relate to or arise out of facts,
circumstances or conditions in effect prior to July 1, 1988, shall be governed
by the provisions of TRASOP as in effect on June 30, 1988 prior to the merger,
unless expressly otherwise provided in this Plan.
13.02 TRASOP Accounts; Application of Dividends.
(a) The TRASOP Account of each Participant in TRASOP who remained in the
employ of the Company on July 1, 1988 was transferred to this Plan effective as
of July 1, 1988. Each such Participant shall continue to have a nonforfeitable
right to all Shares allocated and all amounts credited to such Participant's
TRASOP Account.
(b) All dividends received by the Trustee with respect to Shares allocated
to the TRASOP Accounts of Participants shall be applied to the purchase of
additional Shares. Such purchases shall be made promptly after the receipt of
each such dividend. The Trustee shall purchase, in one or more transactions, the
maximum number of whole Shares obtainable at then prevailing prices, including
brokerage commissions and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with
such purchases. Such purchases may be made on any securities exchange where
Shares are traded, in the over-the-counter market, or in negotiated
transactions, and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as
the Trustee may determine to be in the best interest of the Participants. The
Trustee shall complete such purchases as soon as practical after receipt of such
dividends, having due regard for any applicable requirements of law affecting
the timing or manner of such purchases. The additional Shares so purchased shall
be allocated among the respective TRASOP Accounts of the Participants in
proportion to the number of Shares in each TRASOP Account at the record date for
the payment of the dividend so applied. Such allocation shall be made as
promptly as practicable but for purposes of determining the time at which such
additional Shares shall become distributable pursuant to Section 13.04, the
additional Shares so allocated to each Participant's TRASOP Account shall be
deemed to have been allocated as of the respective allocation dates of the
Shares in such TRASOP Account at such record date, in proportion to the number
of such Shares previously allocated as of each such allocation date.
<PAGE>
13.03 Voting Rights; Options; Rights; Warrants.
(a) Each Participant shall be entitled to direct the Trustee as to the
manner in which any Shares or fractional Shares allocated to the Participant's
TRASOP Account are to be voted.
(b) In the event that any option, right, or warrant shall be granted or
issued with respect to any Shares allocated to the Participant's TRASOP Account,
each Participant shall be entitled to direct the Trustee whether to exercise,
sell, or deal with such option, right, or warrant.
(c) The Trustee shall keep confidential the Participant's voting
instructions and instructions as to any option, right or warrant and any
information regarding a Participant's purchases, holdings and sales of Shares.
13.04 Distribution of Shares.
A. Each Share allocated to a Participant's TRASOP Account shall be
available for distribution to such Participant promptly after the earlier of (i)
the end of the 84th month beginning after the month in which such Share was
allocated to such Participant's TRASOP Account, and (ii) the death, disability
or termination of employment of such Participant. No Shares may be distributed
from a TRASOP Account before the end of the 84th month beginning after the month
in which Shares were allocated to the TRASOP Account, except in the case of
termination of employment, death or disability, and in accordance with this
Section 13.04.
B. Each Share which shall become distributable to a Participant by reason
of clause A.(i) above is herein called, from the time such Share shall become so
distributable, an "Unrestricted Share". Notwithstanding the provisions of the
aforesaid clause A.(i), Unrestricted Shares shall be distributed to Participants
as follows:
<PAGE>
(a) From time to time, a Participant may request, in such
manner and on such conditions as may be prescribed by the
Company, that Unrestricted Shares held in the Participant's
TRASOP Account be distributed to the Participant. If such
Participant is married, the written application shall
include written consent of the Participant's spouse
witnessed by a Notary Public. Spousal consent shall not be
required with respect to withdrawal requests made on or
after March 1, 1994. Applications made in a calendar month
shall be effective as of the last day of such calendar
month. Any such request must be for whole Shares only and
must be for at least ten Shares or the number of whole
Unrestricted Shares in the TRASOP Account, whichever is
less.
(b) Certificates for Unrestricted Shares requested in accordance
with the preceding paragraph B(a) shall be delivered, or a
cash distribution in respect of such Unrestricted Shares if
elected by the Participant pursuant to Section 13.04D below
shall be made, to the Participant as soon as practicable after
the effective date of the application.
(c) Any Unrestricted Share which shall become distributable by
reason of any provision of this Plan other than clause A.(i)
above (including, without limitation, provision for
distribution upon the death, disability or termination of
employment of the Participant) shall be distributed in
accordance with such provision.
<PAGE>
C. In the case of death of a Participant, distributions in respect of
Shares allocated to the Participant's TRASOP Account shall be made to the
Participant's Beneficiary. In the case of disability or termination of
employment with the Company of a Participant, distributions in respect of Shares
allocated to the Participant's TRASOP Account shall be made to the Participant.
All distributions under TRASOP will begin, subject to Section 7.08
and Subsection 13.04.F, not later than the 60th day after the close of the Plan
Year in which the latest of the following events occurs: (1) the Participant
attains age 65, (2) the 10th anniversary of the year in which the Participant
commenced participation in TRASOP, or (3) the Participant becomes disabled, dies
or terminates service with the Company.
D. All distributions from a Participant's TRASOP Account shall be made in
Shares; provided, however, that a Participant or Beneficiary shall have the
right to elect, on a form furnished by and submitted to the Company, to receive
a distribution, other than a distribution upon termination of TRASOP, in cash.
Except in the case of a final distribution from a Participant's TRASOP Account
and a distribution of the Participant's entire TRASOP Account balance after such
time as all Shares in a Participant's TRASOP Account have become Unrestricted
Shares, all distributions from such TRASOP Account shall be made in respect of
whole Shares only, and any fractional Share which is otherwise distributable
shall be retained in such TRASOP Account until it can be combined, in whole or
in part, with another fractional Share which shall subsequently become
distributable, so as to make up a whole Share. In the case of a final
distribution from a Participant's TRASOP Account (except a distribution upon
termination of TRASOP) or in the case of a distribution of the Participant's
entire TRASOP Account balance after such time as all of the Shares in the
Participant's TRASOP Account have become Unrestricted Shares, such distribution
shall be made in respect of the number of whole Shares then remaining in the
Participant's TRASOP Account, together with a cash payment in respect of any
fractional Share based on the closing price of a Share as reported on the New
York Stock Exchange consolidated tape on the last trading day of the month
immediately preceding the month in which such final distribution is made. The
Trustee, in each such case, shall purchase such fractional Share from the
Participant at a price equal to the cash payment to be made to the Participant.
Whenever the Trustee requires funds for the purchase of fractional Shares, such
funds shall be drawn from the accumulated income of the Trust, if any, and
otherwise shall be advanced by the Company upon the Trustee's request, subject
to reimbursement from future income of the Trust. All fractional Shares so
purchased by the Trustee shall be allocated to the TRASOP Accounts of the
remaining Participants at such intervals as shall be determined by the Plan
Administrator, but no later than the end of the next succeeding Plan Year. The
Trustee shall sell any Shares in respect of which a cash distribution is to be
made. The Trustee may make such sales on any securities exchange where Shares
are traded, in the over-the-counter market, or in negotiated transactions. Such
sales may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as the Trustee
may determine to be in the best interests of the Participants. The Trustee shall
complete such sales as soon as practical under the circumstances having due
regard for any applicable requirements of law affecting the timing or manner of
such sales. All brokerage commissions and other direct selling expenses incurred
by the Trustee in the sale of Shares under this Subsection 13.04D shall be paid
as provided in Section 10.05.
<PAGE>
E. Upon any termination of TRASOP pursuant to Section 11.02, the Trust
shall continue until all Shares which have been allocated to Participants'
TRASOP Accounts have been distributed to the Participants, unless the Board
directs an earlier termination of the Trust. Upon the final distribution of
Shares, or at such earlier time as the Board shall have fixed for the
termination of the Trust, the Plan Administrator shall direct the Trustee to
allocate to the Participants any Shares then held by the Trustee and not yet
allocated, and the Trustee shall distribute to the Participants any whole Shares
which have been allocated to their TRASOP Accounts but which have not been
distributed, shall sell all fractional Shares and distribute the proceeds to the
respective Participants entitled to such fractional Shares, shall liquidate any
remaining assets (other than Shares) held by the Trust, and shall apply the
proceeds of such liquidation and any remaining funds held by the Trustee, the
disposition of which is not otherwise provided for, to a distribution to all
Participants then receiving a final distribution of Shares, in proportion to the
whole and fractional Shares to which each is entitled; and the Trust shall
thereupon terminate.
<PAGE>
F. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, unless a
Participant otherwise elects in writing on a form furnished by the Company:
(a) Distribution of a Participant's TRASOP Account balance will
commence not later than one (1)
year after the close of the Plan
Year - (i) in
which the Participant terminates
employment with the Company by
reason of Retirement upon or after
attainment of Normal Retirement
Age, death, or disability, or
(ii) which is the fifth Plan Year following the Plan Year in
which the Participant terminates employment with the
Company for any other reason, and the Participant is not
reemployed by the Company before such Plan Year.
AND
(b) Distribution of the Participant's TRASOP Account balance will be
in five (5) annual distributions as promptly as practicable after the end of
each Plan Year; provided, however, that a TRASOP Account balance that equals
$3500 or less shall be distributed in a single distribution as soon as
practicable, but not later than 60 days after the close of the Plan Year in
which the Participant's termination of employment occurs. Each such annual
distribution shall be in respect of the number of Shares, rounded down to the
nearest number of whole Shares, which most closely approximates the entire
balance in the Participant's TRASOP Account as of December 31 of the previous
year divided by the number of annual distributions remaining to be made under
this subsection, except that the fifth such distribution shall be respect of the
entire balance in the Participant's TRASOP Account as of the preceding December
31. Each such annual distribution shall be taken pro rata from all contribution
years in Participant's TRASOP Account.
G. A Participant whose employment with the Company is terminated by reason
of Retirement, disability or any other reason (other than death) may elect in
such a manner and on such conditions as may be prescribed by the Company to have
his TRASOP Account balance distributed in one of the following forms:
(i) a single lump sum distribution as soon as practicable, but not
later than 60 days after the end of the Calendar Year in which
the Participant's termination of employment occurs; or
(ii) a distribution deferred until the last day of a calendar month
not later than the calendar month in which the Participant
attains age 70, as designated by the Participant, in which
event the distribution of the Participant's TRASOP Account
balance as of the last day of the calendar month so designated
by the Participant shall be made in a single lump sum as soon
as practicable after such calendar month.
<PAGE>
13.05 Diversification of TRASOP Accounts.
A. Definitions
The following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this
Section 13.05:
(a) "Qualified Participant" shall mean a Participant who has a
TRASOP Account and has attained at least age 55 and completed
at least 10 years of participation in TRASOP.
(b) "Qualified Election Period" shall mean the first ninety (90)
days following the end of Plan Year 1987 and of each Plan Year
thereafter.
(c) "Eligible Shares" shall mean Shares added to a Participant's
TRASOP Account after December 31, 1986.
(d) "Diversifiable Amount" shall, with respect to any Qualified
Election Period, mean twenty-five percent (25%) of the
number of Eligible Shares in the Participant's TRASOP
Account as of the end of the preceding Plan Year. However,
if the Diversifiable Amount for any Qualified Election
Period shall have a value which may be deemed "de minimis"
under regulations issued by the Secretary of the United
States Department of the Treasury, then there shall be no
Diversifiable Amount available for such Qualified Election
Period.
<PAGE>
B. Eligibility for Diversification
Each Qualified Participant shall, beginning with the Qualified Election
Period in 1988, have the right to elect to diversify, by means of a distribution
of whole Eligible Shares only, all or some portion of the Diversifiable Amount
in his TRASOP Account during each of the six (6) consecutive Qualified Election
Periods following the 1987 Plan Year or the later Plan Year in which such
Participant first became a Qualified Participant, provided, however, that,
notwithstanding subsection 13.05.A.(d), the Diversifiable Amount in the sixth
Qualified Election Period for each Qualified Participant shall be fifty percent
(50%) of the number of Eligible Shares in his TRASOP Account as to the end of
the preceding Plan Year. A distribution pursuant to this Article 13.05 must be a
minimum of ten (10) Shares, or all Whole Shares comprising the Diversifiable
Amount for such Qualified Election Period if less than 10. Each Qualified
Participant who desires to elect diversification under this Section shall,
during the Qualified Election Period, complete and execute a diversification
election and consent form provided by the Company. Such election may be revoked
or modified or a new election may be made in its stead within the Qualified
Election Period, upon the expiration of which the diversification election shall
be irrevocable.
Diversification Procedure
(i) TRASOP shall, within the 90 day period following each
Qualified Election Period, distribute to each Qualified
Participant who has elected to diversify under this
Section, the number of whole Eligible Shares which most
closely approximates, but does not exceed, the number of
Eligible Shares duly elected to be diversified by each such
Qualified Participant. Failure by a Qualified Participant
to provide required consents to distribution of any
Diversifiable Amount, shall relieve TRASOP of all
obligation to make any such distribution.
(ii) To the extent a Qualified Participant has Eligible Shares
which are Unrestricted Shares in his TRASOP Account, such
Unrestricted Shares shall be distributed pursuant to this
Section 13.05. Only upon exhaustion of all such Unrestricted
Shares may additional Eligible Shares then be distributed
hereunder.
AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO
THE CONSOLIDATED EDISON RETIREMENT PLAN
FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES
Dated: July 1, 1996
Effective: July 1, 1996
<PAGE>
Pursuant to resolutions adopted on November 28, 1995 by the Board of
Trustees of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., the undersigned
hereby approves the amendments to The Consolidated Edison Retirement Plan for
Management Employees set forth below, effective July 1, 1996.
1. A new subdivision (e), which shall read as follows, shall
be added to Paragraph 23 E:
"(e) Effective July 1, 1996, a health maintenance organization (HMO)
option, including coverage for Medicare eligible persons on a Medicare
risk basis and coverage for non-Medicare eligible persons, shall be
available as an alternative to participation in the Program. The Plan
Administrator shall select one or more HMOs that will be available under
the HMO option, fix the contributions to be made by participants who elect
to enroll in the HMO option, and determine the terms and conditions for
participation in the HMO option, including but not limited to a
participant's rights to switch from one HMO to another and from an HMO to
the Program or vice versa."
2. The second paragraph in subdivision (b) of Paragraph 23 E
shall be amended to read as follows:
"FAILURE BY AN ELIGIBLE PERSON TO ELECT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM OR
THE HMO OPTION SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE DECLINATION BY SUCH PERSON. IF AN
ELIGIBLE PERSON DECLINES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM OR THE HMO OPTION
OR IS DEEMED TO HAVE DECLINED TO PARTICIPATE, SUCH PERSON AND SUCH
PERSON'S SURVIVING SPOUSE AND DEPENDENTS SHALL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE
PROGRAM OR THE HMO OPTION AND SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE AT A
LATER DATE."
3. The following words shall be added after the word "customary" at the
end of the first sentence in the first paragraph of Paragraph 23 B:
"or required by applicable law and, effective July 1, 1996, to change from
time to time copayments, deductibles and out-of-pocket and other limits as
he may deem appropriate."
4. The following sentence shall be added after the first sentence in
Paragraph 23 G and in Paragraph IV in Appendix I, Part A Benefits:
"PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, EFFECTIVE JULY 1,
1996 THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO AMEND THE PROGRAM,
INCLUDING THE HMO OPTION, AS HE DEEMS APPROPRIATE TO FACILITATE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM OR THE HMO OPTION."
5. A new paragraph "E" shall be added to Appendix I, Part A Benefits,
Hospital/Medical Benefits, under the heading, "MEDICAL", to read as follows:
"E. Effective July 1, 1996, provide a participating provider organization
(PPO) for participants in the Program not eligible for Medicare, under
which each visit to a participating physician or other provider will
require a $10 copayment. The benefit limitations stated above shall apply
to the following services provided by a PPO provider: chiropractic
services other than spinal manipulation or x-rays; outpatient treatment of
alcohol and substance abuse; mental and nervous disorders; routine ear
exams to fit hearing aids; routine mammography screening; routine foot
care; second surgical opinions and outpatient surgery. If the PPO is used,
deductible and coinsurance provisions do not apply, and the PPO copayment
is not counted toward the annual deductible or out-of-pocket maximum."
6. The second sentence under the heading "Required Deductible and
Copayment for Prescription Drugs" in Appendix I, Part B - Costs, is amended to
read as follows:
"Effective July 1, 1996, the required copayment for basic coverage shall
be $8.00 for brand name drugs and $5.00 for generic drugs, and there shall
be no copayment for prescription drugs obtained under the mail service
program."
7. The following sentence shall be added after the second sentence under
the heading "Effective Dates" in Appendix I, Part B Costs:
"Effective July 1, 1996, from time to time the Plan Administrator may
change such contribution, deductible and copayment amounts, and the Plan
Administrator shall notify participants in advance of the effective date
of any such change."
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 1st
day of July, 1996.
RICHARD P. COWIE
Richard P. Cowie
Vice President-Employee Relations
Consolidated Edison Company
of New York, Inc.
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO THE
CON EDISON SUPPLEMENTAL
RETIREMENT INCOME PLAN
-------------------------
Effective as of January 1, 1997
<PAGE>
Pursuant to resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees of Consolidated
Edison Company of New York, Inc. on November 26, 1996, the undersigned hereby
approves the amendments to The Con Edison Supplemental Retirement Income Plan
set forth below, effective as of January 1, 1997.
1. Paragraph B of ARTICLE FOUR shall be designated as Paragraph B (1), and
the following new provision shall be added and designated as Paragraph B (2):
"(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) above, for purposes of determining the
benefits payable under this Plan for any Participant in the Company's
Executive Incentive Plan ("EIP") whose termination of employment with
the Company occurs on or after January 1, 1997, in calculating the
Participant's Final Average Salary under the Final Average Salary
Formula in the Basic Plan there shall be added to the portion of such
Participant's Annual Basic Straight-Time Compensation allocable to a
calendar year the amount of the Participant's Incentive Award
(including the Mandatory Deferral Portion unless such Portion is
forfeited as provided in the EIP) granted under the EIP in such
calendar year; provided, however, that not more than five Incentive
Awards shall be included in calculating the Participant's Final Average
Salary."
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 21
day of March, 1997.
RICHARD P.COWIE
Richard P. Cowie
Vice President-Employee Relations
Consolidated Edison Company
of New York, Inc.
AMENDMENT NO. 4
TO
THE CONSOLIDATED EDISON
RETIREE HEALTH PROGRAM
FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES
Dated: July 1, 1996
Effective: July 1, 1996
<PAGE>
Pursuant to resolutions adopted on November 28, 1995 by the Board of
Trustees of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., the undersigned
hereby approves the amendments to the Consolidated Edison Retiree Health Program
for Management Employees set forth below, effective July 1, 1996.
1. Subdivision (c) of Section 3.01 shall be renumbered as subdivision (d),
and a new subdivision (c), which shall read as follows, shall be added to
Section 3.01:
"(c) Effective July 1, 1996, a health maintenance organization (HMO)
option, including coverage for Medicare eligible persons on a Medicare
risk basis and coverage for non-Medicare eligible persons, shall be
available as an alternative to participation in the Program. The Plan
Administrator shall select one or more HMOs that will be available under
the HMO option, fix the contributions to be made by participants who elect
to enroll in the HMO option, and determine the terms and conditions for
participation in the HMO option, including but not limited to a
participant's rights to switch from one HMO to another and from an HMO to
the Program or vice versa."
2. Renumbered subdivision (d) shall be amended to read as
follows:
"(d) FAILURE BY AN ELIGIBLE PERSON TO ELECT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM
OR THE HMO OPTION SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE DECLINATION BY SUCH PERSON. IF AN
ELIGIBLE PERSON DECLINES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM OR THE HMO OPTION
OR IS DEEMED TO HAVE DECLINED TO PARTICIPATE, SUCH PERSON AND SUCH
PERSON'S SURVIVING SPOUSE AND DEPENDENTS SHALL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE
PROGRAM OR THE HMO OPTION AND SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE AT A
LATER DATE."
3. The following words shall be added after the word "law" at
the end of the first sentence in Section 4.01:
"and, effective July 1, 1996, to change from time to time copayments,
deductibles and out-of-pocket and other limits as he may deem
appropriate."
4. The second sentence in Section 5.01(b) is amended to read
as follows:
"Effective July 1, 1996, the required copayment for basic coverage shall
be $8.00 for brand name drugs and $5.00 for generic drugs."
5. The following sentence shall be added after the second
sentence in Section 5.01(c):
"Effective July 1, 1996, from time to time the Plan Administrator may
change such contribution, deductible and copayment amounts, and the Plan
Administrator shall notify participants in advance of the effective date
of any such change."
6. The words, "Except as otherwise provided herein," shall be added to the
beginning of the last sentence in Section 7.03(c).
7. The following sentence shall be added after the first
sentence in Section 8.01:
"Pursuant to authority granted by the Board of Trustees, effective July 1,
1996 the Plan Administrator shall have the authority to amend the Program,
including the HMO option, as he deems appropriate to facilitate
administration of the Program or the HMO option."
8. A new paragraph "E" shall be added to Appendix I, Hospital/Medical
Benefits, under the heading, "MEDICAL", to read as follows:
"E. Effective July 1, 1996, provide a participating provider organization
(PPO) for participants in the Program not eligible for Medicare, under
which each visit to a participating physician or other provider will
require a $10 copayment. The benefit limitations stated above shall apply
to the following services provided by a PPO provider: chiropractic
services other than spinal manipulation or x-rays; outpatient treatment of
alcohol and substance abuse; mental and nervous disorders; routine ear
exams to fit hearing aids; routine mammography screening; routine foot
care; second surgical opinions and outpatient surgery. If the PPO is used,
deductible and coinsurance provisions do not apply, and the PPO copayment
is not counted toward the annual deductible or out-of-pocket maximum."
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 1st
day of July, 1996.
RICHARD P. COWIE
Richard P. Cowie
Vice President-Employee Relations
Consolidated Edison Company
of New York, Inc.
<TABLE>
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
Computation in Support of
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
Years 1992 to 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Earnings
Net Income ...................... $ 694,085** $ 723,850 $ 734,270 $ 658,522 $ 604,088
Federal Income Tax .............. 355,590 328,600 374,500 270,800 252,600
Federal Income Tax Deferred ..... 49,510 78,330 73,710 106,470 81,670
Investment Tax Credits Deferred . (8,910) (9,310) (9,620) (12,260) (13,800)
Total Earnings Before
Federal Income Tax ............ 1,090,275 1,121,470 1,172,860 1,023,532 924,558
Fixed Charges* .................. 343,308 350,254 327,353 320,554 315,305
Total Earnings Before
Federal Income Tax and
Fixed Charges ................ 1,433,583 $1,471,724 $1,500,213 $1,344,086 $1,239,863
*Fixed Charges
Interest on Long-Term Debt ..... $ 296,443 $ 287,842 $ 277,685 $ 272,781 $ 270,469
Amortization of Debt Discount,
Premium and Expense .......... 11,376 14,075 11,376 8,975 3,974
Interest on Component of Rentals 18,157 19,383 18,439 19,077 19,175
Other Interest ................ 17,332 28,954 19,853 19,721 21,687
Total Fixed Charges ........... $ 343,308 $ 350,254 $ 327,353 $ 320,554 $ 315,305
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 4.18 4.20 4.58 4.19 3.93
** Reflects increased depreciation expense, but not the net gain,
resulting from refunding of preferred stock. See "Note B Capitalization
- Preferred Stock Refunding" to the financial statements in Item 8 of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.
</TABLE>
Consent of Independent Accountants
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated March
13, 1997, appearing on page 49 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in (i) the
Prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No.
33-15725) relating to the Consolidated Edison Discount Stock Purchase Plan, (ii)
the Prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No.
33-64657) relating to $540 million principal amount of the Company's unsecured
debt securities, (iii) the Prospectus, dated March 14, 1996, and the Prospectus,
dated November 23, 1993, as amended by the Prospectus Supplement, dated March
14, 1996 constituting part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No.
333-01717) relating to the Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan, and (iv) the Prospectus
constituting part of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-04463)
relating to the Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. 1996 Stock Option
Plan.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
New York, New York
March 28, 1997
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
WHEREAS Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 with
any and all exhibits and other documents having relation thereto, as prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE,
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, in his or her
capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case may be, of the Company,
does hereby constitute and appoint Joan S. Freilich, Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. and
Peter A. Irwin, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power to act with or without the others and with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place
and stead, in his or her capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents having relation thereto, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 24th day
of March, 1997.
Eugene R. McGrath
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
WHEREAS Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 with
any and all exhibits and other documents having relation thereto, as prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE,
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, in his or her
capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case may be, of the Company,
does hereby constitute and appoint Joan S. Freilich, Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. and
Peter A. Irwin, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power to act with or without the others and with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place
and stead, in his or her capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents having relation thereto, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 27 day
of March, 1997.
Joan S. Freilich
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
WHEREAS Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 with
any and all exhibits and other documents having relation thereto, as prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE,
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, in his or her
capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case may be, of the Company,
does hereby constitute and appoint Joan S. Freilich, Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. and
Peter A. Irwin, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power to act with or without the others and with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place
and stead, in his or her capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents having relation thereto, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 27 day
of March, 1997.
John F. Cioffi
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
WHEREAS Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 with
any and all exhibits and other documents having relation thereto, as prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE,
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, in his or her
capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case may be, of the Company,
does hereby constitute and appoint Joan S. Freilich, Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. and
Peter A. Irwin, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power to act with or without the others and with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place
and stead, in his or her capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents having relation thereto, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 24th day
of March, 1997.
E. Virgil Conway
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
WHEREAS Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 with
any and all exhibits and other documents having relation thereto, as prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE,
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, in his or her
capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case may be, of the Company,
does hereby constitute and appoint Joan S. Freilich, Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. and
Peter A. Irwin, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power to act with or without the others and with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place
and stead, in his or her capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents having relation thereto, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 25th day
of March, 1997.
Ruth M. Davis
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
WHEREAS Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 with
any and all exhibits and other documents having relation thereto, as prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE,
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, in his or her
capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case may be, of the Company,
does hereby constitute and appoint Joan S. Freilich, Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. and
Peter A. Irwin, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power to act with or without the others and with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place
and stead, in his or her capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents having relation thereto, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 25th day
of March, 1997.
Ellen V. Futter
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
WHEREAS Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 with
any and all exhibits and other documents having relation thereto, as prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE,
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, in his or her
capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case may be, of the Company,
does hereby constitute and appoint Joan S. Freilich, Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. and
Peter A. Irwin, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power to act with or without the others and with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place
and stead, in his or her capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents having relation thereto, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 25th day
of March, 1997.
Arthur Hauspurg
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
WHEREAS Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 with
any and all exhibits and other documents having relation thereto, as prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE,
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, in his or her
capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case may be, of the Company,
does hereby constitute and appoint Joan S. Freilich, Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. and
Peter A. Irwin, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power to act with or without the others and with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place
and stead, in his or her capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents having relation thereto, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 25th day
of March, 1997.
Sally Hernandez-Pinero
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
WHEREAS Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 with
any and all exhibits and other documents having relation thereto, as prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE,
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, in his or her
capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case may be, of the Company,
does hereby constitute and appoint Joan S. Freilich, Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. and
Peter A. Irwin, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power to act with or without the others and with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place
and stead, in his or her capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents having relation thereto, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 22 day
of March, 1997.
Peter W. Likins
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
WHEREAS Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 with
any and all exhibits and other documents having relation thereto, as prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE,
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, in his or her
capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case may be, of the Company,
does hereby constitute and appoint Joan S. Freilich, Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. and
Peter A. Irwin, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power to act with or without the others and with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place
and stead, in his or her capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents having relation thereto, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 24 day
of March, 1997.
Donald K. Ross
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
WHEREAS Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 with
any and all exhibits and other documents having relation thereto, as prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE,
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, in his or her
capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case may be, of the Company,
does hereby constitute and appoint Joan S. Freilich, Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. and
Peter A. Irwin, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power to act with or without the others and with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place
and stead, in his or her capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents having relation thereto, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 24 day
of March, 1997.
Robert G. Schwartz
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
WHEREAS Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 with
any and all exhibits and other documents having relation thereto, as prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE,
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, in his or her
capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case may be, of the Company,
does hereby constitute and appoint Joan S. Freilich, Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. and
Peter A. Irwin, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power to act with or without the others and with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place
and stead, in his or her capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents having relation thereto, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 24th day
of March, 1997.
Richard A. Voell
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
WHEREAS Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 with
any and all exhibits and other documents having relation thereto, as prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE,
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, in his or her
capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case may be, of the Company,
does hereby constitute and appoint Joan S. Freilich, Peter J. O'Shea, Jr. and
Peter A. Irwin, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power to act with or without the others and with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place
and stead, in his or her capacity as a Trustee or Officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents having relation thereto, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and
perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could
do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 24th day
of March, 1997.
Myles V. Whalen, Jr.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS
SUMMARY FINANCIAL
INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET, INCOME
STATEMENT AND STATEMENT OF
CASH FLOWS AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 11,067,310
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 177,224
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,132,487
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 695,882
<OTHER-ASSETS> 984,282
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 14,057,185
<COMMON> 587,484
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 856,149
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 4,283,935
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 5,727,568
84,550
238,098
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 4,238,622
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 106,256
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 42,661
<LEASES-CURRENT> 2,591
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 3,616,839
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 14,057,185
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 6,959,736
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 397,160
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 5,548,985
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 5,946,145
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 1,013,591
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 4,016
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 1,017,607
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 323,522
<NET-INCOME> 694,085
19,859
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 688,169
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 488,756
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 307,820
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 1,107,337
<EPS-PRIMARY> 2.93
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.93
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