Consolidated Edison (NYSE:ED) Update / Briefing Transcript

Consolidated Edison Conference Call Summary Company Overview - Consolidated Edison (Con Edison) is one of the largest investor-owned utilities in the U.S., providing electric, gas, and steam services to millions in New York City and surrounding areas [3][4] - The company has been operational for over 200 years, adapting to various challenges and technological shifts [11] Industry Context - The energy landscape in New York is transitioning towards cleaner energy, driven by state and local policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality [16][18] - The New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) sets ambitious targets for renewable energy adoption and emissions reductions [16][17] Key Strategic Initiatives - Con Edison plans to invest $72 billion over the next decade to enhance system safety, reliability, and manage growth due to increased electrification of heating and transportation [19] - The company is focusing on modernizing its energy delivery systems to withstand extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and severe [3][10] Reliability and Resiliency - Con Edison has achieved a reliability performance that is nine times better than the national average, attributed to strategic investments and system design [10][30] - Since 2013, resiliency investments have helped avoid approximately 1.2 million weather-related outages [10] Economic Impact - Con Edison and Orange and Rockland Utilities contribute significantly to the New York economy, generating $24.3 billion in economic output, which is about 1% of the state's GDP [13] - The company paid $4.8 billion in taxes and fees in 2024, including $3.3 billion to New York City [13] Customer Engagement and Energy Efficiency - Con Edison has completed over 74,000 energy efficiency and building electrification projects from 2020 to 2024, with a shift towards more complex technologies like heat pumps [42] - The company has provided over $1.5 billion in customer incentives over the last five years, with a focus on low to moderate-income customers [64] Climate Change Adaptation - Climate studies indicate that New York will face more intense heat waves and rising sea levels, prompting Con Edison to submit climate change resiliency plans to regulators [39][40] - The company is investing in storm hardening measures and enhancing grid resilience to prepare for future climate impacts [41] Electrification and Clean Energy Transition - Con Edison is actively assisting customers in transitioning from natural gas to electric alternatives, with a focus on building electrification and the development of utility thermal energy networks [54][56] - The company is exploring low-carbon fuel alternatives and has set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its operations [60][61] Future Outlook - The company anticipates a return to being a winter-peaking utility by the 2040s due to the electrification of heating and transportation [23][53] - Con Edison is committed to maintaining operational excellence and reliability while navigating the challenges of the energy transition [7][9] Conclusion - Consolidated Edison is positioned as a leader in the energy sector, focusing on reliability, customer engagement, and a sustainable transition to clean energy, while also addressing the challenges posed by climate change and evolving customer needs [9][19]