<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an officer and a
Director of Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., which Company proposes to file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 pursuant to the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has made, constituted and
appointed and by these presents does hereby make, constitute and appoint G. D.
CALIENDO his true and lawful attorney, for him and in his name, place and stead,
and in his office and capacity as aforesaid, to sign and file said Form 10-K and
any amendments thereto, and any and all other documents to be signed and filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection therewith, hereby
granting to said G. D. CALIENDO full power and authority to do and perform each
and every act as fully, to all intents and purposes, as he might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming in all respects all that G.
D. CALIENDO may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand and seal this 5th
day of March 1998.


                                               s/s  D. Louis Peoples
                                               D. Louis Peoples
                                               Vice Chairman of the Board and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>   2
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an officer of
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., which Company proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 pursuant to the provisions of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has made, constituted and appointed
and by these presents does hereby make, constitute and appoint G. D. CALIENDO
his true and lawful attorney, for him and in his name, place and stead, and in
his office and capacity as aforesaid, to sign and file said Form 10-K and any
amendments thereto, and any and all other documents to be signed and filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection therewith, hereby granting
to said G. D. CALIENDO full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act as fully, to all intents and purposes, as he might or could do if personally
present, hereby ratifying and confirming in all respects all that G. D. CALIENDO
may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand and seal this 5th
day of March 1998.


                                      s/s  R. Lee Haney
                                      R. Lee Haney
                                      Senior Vice President and
                                        Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>   3
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an officer of
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., which Company proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 pursuant to the provisions of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has made, constituted and appointed
and by these presents does hereby make, constitute and appoint G. D. CALIENDO
his true and lawful attorney, for him and in his name, place and stead, and in
his office and capacity as aforesaid, to sign and file said Form 10-K and any
amendments thereto, and any and all other documents to be signed and filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection therewith, hereby granting
to said G. D. CALIENDO full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act as fully, to all intents and purposes, as he might or could do if personally
present, hereby ratifying and confirming in all respects all that G. D. CALIENDO
may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand and seal this 5th
day of March 1998.


                                           s/s  Edward M. McKenna
                                           Edward M. McKenna
                                           Controller

<PAGE>   4
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a Director of
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., which Company proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 pursuant to the provisions of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has made, constituted and appointed
and by these presents does hereby make, constitute and appoint G. D. CALIENDO
his true and lawful attorney, for him and in his name, place and stead, and in
his office and capacity as aforesaid, to sign and file said Form 10-K and any
amendments thereto, and any and all other documents to be signed and filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection therewith, hereby granting
to said G. D. CALIENDO full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act as fully, to all intents and purposes, as he might or could do if personally
present, hereby ratifying and confirming in all respects all that G. D. CALIENDO
may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand and seal this 5th
day of March 1998.


                                             /s/  Ralph M. Baruch
                                             Ralph M. Baruch
                                             Director
<PAGE>   5
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a Director of
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., which Company proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 pursuant to the provisions of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has made, constituted and appointed
and by these presents does hereby make, constitute and appoint G. D. CALIENDO
his true and lawful attorney, for him and in his name, place and stead, and in
his office and capacity as aforesaid, to sign and file said Form 10-K and any
amendments thereto, and any and all other documents to be signed and filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection therewith, hereby granting
to said G. D. CALIENDO full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act as fully, to all intents and purposes, as he might or could do if personally
present, hereby ratifying and confirming in all respects all that G. D. CALIENDO
may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand and seal this 5th
day of March 1998.


                                                  /s/  J. Fletcher Creamer
                                                  J. Fletcher Creamer
                                                  Director

<PAGE>   6
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a Director of
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., which Company proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 pursuant to the provisions of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has made, constituted and appointed
and by these presents does hereby make, constitute and appoint G. D. CALIENDO
his true and lawful attorney, for him and in his name, place and stead, and in
his office and capacity as aforesaid, to sign and file said Form 10-K and any
amendments thereto, and any and all other documents to be signed and filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection therewith, hereby granting
to said G. D. CALIENDO full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act as fully, to all intents and purposes, as he might or could do if personally
present, hereby ratifying and confirming in all respects all that G. D. CALIENDO
may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand and seal this 5th
day of March 1998.


                                             /s/  Michael J. Del Giudice
                                             Michael J. Del Giudice
                                             Chairman of the Board of Directors
<PAGE>   7
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a Director of
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., which Company proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 pursuant to the provisions of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has made, constituted and appointed
and by these presents does hereby make, constitute and appoint G. D. CALIENDO
his true and lawful attorney, for him and in his name, place and stead, and in
his office and capacity as aforesaid, to sign and file said Form 10-K and any
amendments thereto, and any and all other documents to be signed and filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection therewith, hereby granting
to said G. D. CALIENDO full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act as fully, to all intents and purposes, as he might or could do if personally
present, hereby ratifying and confirming in all respects all that G. D. CALIENDO
may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand and seal this 5th
day of March 1998.


                                                              s/s  Jon F. Hanson
                                                              Jon F. Hanson
                                                              Director
<PAGE>   8
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a Director of
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., which Company proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 pursuant to the provisions of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has made, constituted and appointed
and by these presents does hereby make, constitute and appoint G. D. CALIENDO
his true and lawful attorney, for him and in his name, place and stead, and in
his office and capacity as aforesaid, to sign and file said Form 10-K and any
amendments thereto, and any and all other documents to be signed and filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection therewith, hereby granting
to said G. D. CALIENDO full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act as fully, to all intents and purposes, as he might or could do if personally
present, hereby ratifying and confirming in all respects all that G. D. CALIENDO
may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand and seal this 5th
day of March 1998.


                                                    s/s  Kenneth D. McPherson
                                                    Kenneth D. McPherson
                                                    Director
<PAGE>   9
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a Director of
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., which Company proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 pursuant to the provisions of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has made, constituted and appointed
and by these presents does hereby make, constitute and appoint G. D. CALIENDO
his true and lawful attorney, for him and in his name, place and stead, and in
his office and capacity as aforesaid, to sign and file said Form 10-K and any
amendments thereto, and any and all other documents to be signed and filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection therewith, hereby granting
to said G. D. CALIENDO full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act as fully, to all intents and purposes, as he might or could do if personally
present, hereby ratifying and confirming in all respects all that G. D. CALIENDO
may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand and seal this 5th
day of March 1998.


                                                s/s  Robert E. Mulcahy III
                                                Robert E. Mulcahy III
                                                Director
<PAGE>   10
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a Director of
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., which Company proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 pursuant to the provisions of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has made, constituted and appointed
and by these presents does hereby make, constitute and appoint G. D. CALIENDO
his true and lawful attorney, for him and in his name, place and stead, and in
his office and capacity as aforesaid, to sign and file said Form 10-K and any
amendments thereto, and any and all other documents to be signed and filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection therewith, hereby granting
to said G. D. CALIENDO full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act as fully, to all intents and purposes, as he might or could do if personally
present, hereby ratifying and confirming in all respects all that G. D. CALIENDO
may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand and seal this 5th
day of March 1998.


                                            s/s  James F. O'Grady, Jr.
                                            James F. O'Grady, Jr.
                                            Director
<PAGE>   11
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a Director of
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., which Company proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 pursuant to the provisions of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has made, constituted and appointed
and by these presents does hereby make, constitute and appoint G. D. CALIENDO
his true and lawful attorney, for him and in his name, place and stead, and in
his office and capacity as aforesaid, to sign and file said Form 10-K and any
amendments thereto, and any and all other documents to be signed and filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection therewith, hereby granting
to said G. D. CALIENDO full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act as fully, to all intents and purposes, as he might or could do if personally
present, hereby ratifying and confirming in all respects all that G. D. CALIENDO
may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand and seal this 5th
day of March 1998.


                                               s/s  Frederic V. Salerno
                                               Frederic V. Salerno
                                               Director
<PAGE>   12
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a Director of
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., which Company proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 pursuant to the provisions of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has made, constituted and appointed
and by these presents does hereby make, constitute and appoint G. D. CALIENDO
her true and lawful attorney, for her and in her name, place and stead, and in
her office and capacity as aforesaid, to sign and file said Form 10-K and any
amendments thereto, and any and all other documents to be signed and filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection therewith, hereby granting
to said G. D. CALIENDO full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act as fully, to all intents and purposes, as she might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming in all respects all that G.
D. CALIENDO may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set her hand and seal this 5th
day of March 1998.


                                                 s/s  Linda C. Taliaferro
                                                 Linda C. Taliaferro
                                                 Director
<PAGE>   13
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a Director of
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., which Company proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 pursuant to the provisions of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has made, constituted and appointed
and by these presents does hereby make, constitute and appoint G. D. CALIENDO
his true and lawful attorney, for him and in his name, place and stead, and in
his office and capacity as aforesaid, to sign and file said Form 10-K and any
amendments thereto, and any and all other documents to be signed and filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection therewith, hereby granting
to said G. D. CALIENDO full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act as fully, to all intents and purposes, as he might or could do if personally
present, hereby ratifying and confirming in all respects all that G. D. CALIENDO
may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand and seal this 5th
day of March 1998.


                                           s/s  H. Kent Vanderhoef
                                           H. Kent Vanderhoef
                                           Director