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.