Definitive Proxy Statement
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )

 

Filed by the Registrant    x

 

Filed by a party other than the Registrant    ¨

 

Check   the appropriate box:

 

¨    Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

¨    Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

x    Definitive Proxy Statement

 

¨    Definitive Additional Materials

 

¨    Soliciting Material Under §240.14a-12

 

CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.

 

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

NOT APPLICABLE

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

x    No fee required.

 

¨    Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

  (1)    Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

  

 

  (2)    Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

  

 

  (3)    Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

  

 

  (4)    Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

  

 

  (5)    Total fee paid:

  

 

 

¨    Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

¨    Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

  (1)    Amount Previously Paid:

  

 

  (2)    Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

  

 

  (3)    Filing Party:

  

 

  (4)    Date Filed:

  

 


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LOGO   

 

 

 

 

Letter to

Stockholders

Notice of 2012

Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

 

May 21, 2012

Con Edison Headquarters

4 Irving Place

New York, N.Y. 10003

 


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LOGO   

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

4 Irving Place

New York, NY 10003

 

 

 

 

Kevin Burke

Chairman of the Board

 

April 5, 2012

 

Dear Stockholders:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Consolidated Edison, Inc. I hope that you will join the Board of Directors and the Company’s management at the Company’s Headquarters at 4 Irving Place, New York, New York, on Monday, May 21, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.

 

The accompanying Proxy Statement contains information about matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting. At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to vote on the election of Directors, the ratification of the appointment of independent accountants for 2012, and the approval, on an advisory basis, of named executive officer compensation. In addition to the matters described above, stockholders will be asked to vote on a proposal submitted by an individual stockholder described in the attached Proxy Statement.

 

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote as soon as possible. It is very important that as many shares as possible be represented at the meeting.

 

Sincerely,

 

LOGO
Kevin Burke


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LOGO   

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

4 Irving Place

New York, NY 10003

 

 

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Dear Stockholders:

 

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Consolidated Edison, Inc. will be held at the Company’s Headquarters, 4 Irving Place, New York, New York, on Monday, May 21, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. for the following purposes:

 

  a.   To elect as the members of the Board of Directors the twelve nominees named in the Proxy Statement (attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference);

 

  b.   To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants for the year 2012;

 

  c.   To approve, on an advisory basis, named executive officer compensation;

 

  d.   To act on a stockholder proposal as set forth in the Proxy Statement; and

 

  e.   To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting, or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

 

Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, we urge you to vote your shares of Company Common Stock by telephone, by Internet or by completing and returning a proxy card or a voter instruction form so that your shares will be represented at the Annual Meeting.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

LOGO

 

Carole Sobin

Vice President and Corporate Secretary

 

Dated: April 5, 2012

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE

STOCKHOLDERS MEETING TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

 

The Company’s Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at

www.conedison.com/investorreports.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     PAGE  

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

     1   

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING

     6   

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     6   

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     7   

ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

     8   

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL

     9   

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     10   

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     23   

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

     25   

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

     26   

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

     28   

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS REPORT

     28   

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES AS THEY RELATE TO THE COMPANY’S RISK MANAGEMENT

     43   

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

     44   

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE

     45   

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS TABLE

     46   

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE

     47   

PENSION BENEFITS

     48   

NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

     50   

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CHANGE OF CONTROL

     52   

CERTAIN INFORMATION AS TO INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION

     57   

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING

     58   

 


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PROXY STATEMENT

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

PROXY MATERIALS

 

What are the proxy materials?

 

The proxy materials (“Proxy Materials”) include the following:

 

   

The Proxy Statement.

 

   

The Annual Report to Stockholders of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (“Con Edison” or the “Company”), which includes the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the year ended December 31, 2011, and other information relating to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

If you received the Proxy Materials by mail, they also include a proxy card or a voter instruction form for use at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”).

 

Why am I receiving the Proxy Materials?

 

The Proxy Materials are provided to stockholders of the Company on or about April 5, 2012, in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Con Edison for use at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting. As a stockholder, you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and to vote on the items of business described in this Proxy Statement. The Proxy Materials include information that we are required to provide to you under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are providing the Proxy Materials to our stockholders by mail, e-mail, or in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “Notice and Access” rule.

 

Why did I receive the Proxy Materials in the mail?

 

We are providing some of our stockholders, including stockholders who have previously requested to receive paper copies of the Proxy Materials, with paper copies of the Proxy Materials. You may also access the Proxy Materials and vote online at the Internet address provided on the proxy card or the voter instruction form. If you do not want to receive paper copies of proxy materials on an on-going basis, please follow the instructions for Internet voting on your proxy card or voter instruction form.

 

Why did I receive e-mail delivery of the Proxy Materials?

 

We are providing e-mail delivery of the Proxy Materials to those stockholders who have previously elected electronic delivery. Those stockholders should have received an e-mail containing a link to the website where those materials are available and a link to the proxy voting website.

 

Why did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials?

 

This year, to reduce the environmental impact of our Annual Meeting, we are pleased to furnish the Proxy Materials over the Internet. As a result, we are sending many of our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability”) instead of a paper copy of the Proxy Materials. All stockholders receiving the Notice of Internet Availability will have the ability to access the Proxy Materials over the Internet and to request a paper copy of the Proxy Materials by mail. Instructions on how to access the Proxy Materials over the Internet, to vote online, and to request a paper copy may be found in the Notice of Internet Availability. In addition, the Notice of Internet Availability contains instructions on how you may request delivery of proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically on an ongoing basis.

 

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Can I request a paper copy of the Proxy Statement and Annual Report?

 

The Company’s Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available on our web site at www.conedison.com/investorreports. A copy of these materials is also available without charge upon written request to the Company’s Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Con Edison, 4 Irving Place, New York, New York 10003.

 

I share an address with another stockholder, and we received only one copy of the Proxy Materials. How may I obtain an additional copy?

 

If you are a registered holder of Company Common Stock, Computershare (Computershare acquired BNY Mellon Shareowner Services effective December 31, 2011) may deliver only one copy of the Proxy Materials to multiple stockholders who share an address unless Computershare has received contrary instructions.

 

If you hold your Company Common Stock through a broker, bank, or other financial institution (“broker”), your broker may deliver only one copy of the Proxy Materials to multiple stockholders who share an address unless contrary instructions are received.

 

Stockholders who wish to receive additional copies of the Proxy Materials and stockholders who share an address and wish to receive a single copy of the Proxy Materials, should follow the instructions on the proxy card or the voter instruction form.

 

Who pays the cost of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting?

 

The Company will pay the expenses associated with the solicitation of proxies. The solicitation of proxies is being made by mail, telephone, the Internet, facsimile, electronic transmission, or overnight delivery. The expense associated with the solicitation of proxies will include reimbursement for postage and clerical expenses to brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries for forwarding Proxy Material and other documents to beneficial owners of stock held in their names. Morrow & Co., LLC, 470 West Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902, has been retained to assist in the solicitation of proxies. The estimated cost of Morrow’s services is $21,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses.

 

VOTING AND RELATED MATTERS

 

What is the record date?

 

The Board of Directors has established March 26, 2012 as the record date for the determination of Con Edison’s stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

How many votes do I have?

 

You are entitled to one vote on each proposal presented at the Annual Meeting for each outstanding share of Company Common Stock you owned on the record date.

 

How many votes can be cast by all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

 

One vote on each proposal presented at the Annual Meeting for each of the 292,879,796 shares of Company Common Stock that were outstanding on the record date.

 

How many votes must be present to hold the Annual Meeting?

 

To constitute a quorum to transact business at the Annual Meeting, the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, or 146,439,899, must be present in person or by proxy. We urge you to vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, so that we will know as soon as possible that enough votes will be present to hold the meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted in the determination of the quorum.

 

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How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote?

 

Item of Business

  

Board’s Voting Recommendation

Election of the twelve Director nominees

   FOR EACH NOMINEE

Ratification of the appointment of independent accountants

   FOR

Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation

   FOR

Stockholder proposal

   AGAINST

 

What vote is required to approve each item of business?

 

The twelve nominees for Director named in this Proxy Statement receiving a majority of the votes cast at the meeting in person or by proxy shall be elected (meaning the number of shares voted “for” a Director nominee must exceed the number of shares voted “against” that Director nominee), subject to the Board’s policy regarding resignations by Directors who do not receive a majority of “for” votes.

 

In all other matters, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, entitled to vote and voting on the subject matter, will be the act of the stockholders.

 

Abstentions and broker non-votes are voted neither “for” nor “against,” and have no effect on the vote, but are counted in the determination of the quorum.

 

How do I vote?

 

You can vote whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting. Stockholders have a choice of voting over the Internet, by telephone, by mail using a proxy card or voter instruction form, or in person at the Annual Meeting.

 

   

If you received a printed copy of the Proxy Materials, please follow the instructions on your proxy card or voter instruction form. Your proxy card or voter instruction form provides information on how to vote over the Internet, by telephone, or by mail.

 

   

If you received a Notice of Internet Availability, please follow the instructions on the notice. The Notice of Internet Availability provides information on how to vote over the Internet, by telephone, or by mail.

 

   

If you received an e-mail notification, please click on the link provided in the e-mail notification and follow the instructions on how to vote over the Internet or by telephone.

 

   

If you are a registered holder of the Company’s Common Stock, you may also vote in person at the Annual Meeting.

 

To help us reduce the environmental impact of our meeting, we ask that you vote through the Internet or by telephone, both of which are available 24 hours a day. To ensure that your vote is counted, please remember to submit your vote by the date and time indicated on your Notice of Internet Availability, proxy card or voter instruction form, as applicable.

 

If my shares are held by my broker, can my shares be voted if I don’t instruct my broker?

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved a New York Stock Exchange rule that affects the manner in which your broker may vote your shares. Your broker may not vote on your behalf for the election of directors or compensation-related matters unless you provide specific voting instructions to your broker. For your vote to be counted, you need to communicate your voting decisions to your broker, in the manner prescribed by your broker, before the date of the Annual Meeting.

 

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If you have any questions about this rule or the proxy voting process in general, please contact the broker where you hold your shares. The Securities and Exchange Commission also has a website (www.sec.gov/spotlight/proxymatters.shtml) with more information about your rights as a stockholder.

 

If I am a registered holder of Company Common Stock, what if I don’t vote for one or more of the matters listed on my proxy card?

 

All shares represented by properly executed proxies received in time for the Annual Meeting will be voted at the Annual Meeting in the manner specified by the persons giving those proxies. If you return a signed proxy without indicating voting instructions your shares will be voted as follows:

 

   

for the election of the twelve Director nominees,

 

   

for the ratification of the appointment of independent accountants,

 

   

for the advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation, and

 

   

against the stockholder proposal.

 

Can I change my vote?

 

Yes, depending on how your shares of Company Common Stock are held, you may change your vote by sending in a new, properly executed proxy card or voter instruction form with a later date, or by casting a new vote by Internet or telephone, or by sending a properly executed written notice of revocation to the Company’s Vice President and Corporate Secretary at Con Edison, 4 Irving Place, New York, New York 10003. Check the instructions on your Notice of Internet Availability, proxy card or voter instruction form for information regarding your specific revocation options. If you are a registered holder of Company Common Stock, you may also change your vote by appearing at the Annual Meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the Annual Meeting without voting will not by itself revoke a proxy.

 

ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

 

What is the location, date, and time of the Annual Meeting?

 

The Annual Meeting will be held at the Company’s principal executive offices at 4 Irving Place, New York, New York 10003, on Monday, May 21, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.

 

Where can I find directions to the Annual Meeting?

 

Directions to the Annual Meeting are available on our website at www.conedison.com/investorreports.

 

Who can attend the Annual Meeting?

 

Attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to holders of Company Common Stock on March 26, 2012, the record date, the authorized representative (one only) of an absent stockholder, and invited guests of management.

 

Do I need a ticket to attend the Annual Meeting?

 

Yes, you will need an admission ticket or proof of ownership of Company Common Stock on the record date to enter the meeting.

 

   

If you received a printed copy of the Proxy Materials and you are a registered holder of Company Common Stock, your proxy card serves as your admission ticket to the Annual Meeting.

 

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If you received a printed copy of the Proxy Materials and you hold your shares through a broker, please bring to the Annual Meeting a copy of a brokerage or other statement reflecting your stock ownership as of the record date.

 

   

If you received a printed copy of the Proxy Materials and you hold your shares through an employee plan, please bring to the Annual Meeting a copy of a statement reflecting your stock ownership as of the record date.

 

   

If you received a Notice of Internet Availability, that Notice of Internet Availability serves as your admission ticket to the Annual Meeting.

 

   

If you received an e-mail notification, please access the Proxy Materials by clicking on the link provided in the e-mail notification and follow the instructions for downloading a copy of your admission ticket.

 

You may be asked to present valid picture identification to gain entrance to the Annual Meeting. Any person claiming to be an authorized representative of a stockholder must, upon request, produce written evidence of the authorization.

 

Are there any special attendance procedures?

 

In order to assure the holding of a fair and orderly meeting and to accommodate as many stockholders as possible who may wish to speak at the Annual Meeting, management will limit the general discussion portion of the meeting and permit only stockholders or their authorized representatives to address the meeting. In addition, management will require that all signs, banners, placards, handouts and similar materials be left outside the meeting room.

 

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MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

(Proposal No. 1)

 

Twelve Directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to hold office until the next Annual Meeting and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. See “The Board of Directors” on pages 10 to 16. Directors are permitted to stand for election until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 72. Of the Board members standing for election, one (Kevin Burke) is a current officer of the Company. All of the nominees were elected Directors at the last Annual Meeting.

 

The Company’s management believes that all of the nominees will be able and willing to serve as Directors of the Company. All of the Directors also serve as Trustees of Con Edison’s subsidiary, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (“Con Edison of New York”). Mr. Burke also serves on the Board of Con Edison’s subsidiary, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (“Orange & Rockland”).

 

Shares represented by every properly executed proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting for or against the election of the Director nominees as specified by the stockholder giving the proxy. If one or more of the nominees is unable or unwilling to serve, the shares represented by the proxies will be voted for any substitute nominee or nominees as may be designated by the Board.

 

The Board Recommends a Vote FOR Proposal No. 1.

 

 

 

Election of each of the twelve Director nominees requires the Director to receive a majority of the votes cast at the meeting in person or by proxy to be elected (meaning the number of shares voted “for” a Director nominee must exceed the number of shares voted “against” that Director nominee), subject to the Board’s policy regarding resignations by Directors who do not receive a majority of “for” votes.

 

 

 

 

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RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

(Proposal No. 2)

 

At the Annual Meeting, as a matter of sound corporate governance, stockholders will be asked to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as independent accountants for the Company for the year 2012. If the selection of PwC is not ratified, the Audit Committee will take this into consideration in the future selection of independent accountants.

 

PwC has acted as independent accountants for the Company for many years. The Audit Committee’s charter provides that at least once every five years, the Audit Committee will evaluate whether it is appropriate to rotate the Company’s independent accountants.

 

The Audit Committee considered the firm’s qualifications. This included a review of PwC’s performance in prior years, as well as PwC’s reputation for integrity and for competence in the fields of accounting and auditing. The Audit Committee also reviewed a report provided by PwC regarding its quality controls, inquiries or investigations by governmental or professional authorities and independence. See “Report of the Audit Committee” and “Fees Paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP” on pages 26 to 27.

 

Representatives of PwC will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be afforded the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and to respond to appropriate questions.

 

The Board Recommends a Vote FOR Proposal No. 2.

 

 

 

Ratification of Proposal No. 2 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Company Common Stock voted on the proposal at the Annual Meeting.

 

 

 

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ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

(Proposal No. 3)

 

The Company values the opinions of our stockholders, and in accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the stockholders may vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers. The Board recommends that the stockholders vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) section, and the related compensation disclosure tables on pages 28 to 57. The Company currently conducts such votes annually, and the next such vote will be at the Company’s 2013 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

As discussed in the CD&A, the Company’s executive compensation program is designed to assist in attracting and retaining key executives critical to the Company’s long-term success, and to motivate these executives to create value for its stockholders and to provide reliable service for its customers. The Management Development and Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”), with the assistance of its compensation consultant, seeks to provide base salary, target annual cash incentive compensation, long-term equity-based incentive compensation, and retirement and welfare benefits that are competitive with the level of compensation provided by the Company’s compensation peer group (see “Compensation Peer Group” on page 32).

 

The Compensation Committee believes that variable compensation should represent the most significant portion of each Named Executive Officer’s total direct compensation to motivate strong annual and multi-year Company performance. Additionally, the Compensation Committee believes that most of the variable performance-based compensation should be in the form of long-term, rather than annual incentives, to emphasize the importance of sustained Company performance. Each year, the Compensation Committee evaluates the level of compensation and the mix of base and variable compensation of each Named Executive Officer to ensure that it meets the Compensation Committee’s objectives and is competitive with levels of compensation of the compensation peer group.

 

For the reasons highlighted above and more fully discussed in the CD&A, the Board recommends that the stockholders vote in favor of the following resolution:

 

“RESOLVED, That the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion is hereby approved.”

 

The Board Recommends a Vote FOR Proposal No. 3.

 

 

 

Approval of Proposal No. 3 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Company Common Stock voted on the proposal at the Annual Meeting.

 

The Board values the opinions of the Company’s stockholders as expressed through their vote and other communications. Although the vote is on an advisory basis, the Board and its Compensation Committee will consider the voting results when making future compensation decisions for the Company’s Named Executive Officers.

 

 

 

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL

(Proposal No. 4)

 

Mrs. Evelyn Y. Davis, Watergate Office Building, 2600 Virginia Avenue, N.W., Suite 215, Washington, D.C. 20037, who owns 200 shares of Company Common Stock, has submitted the following proposal:

 

“RESOLVED: That the stockholders recommend that the Board take the necessary steps that Con Edison specifically identify by name and corporate title in all future proxy statements those executive officers, not otherwise so identified, who are contractually entitled to receive in excess of $500,000 annually as a base salary, together with whatever other additional compensation bonuses and other cash payments were due them.”

 

The statement made in support of this proposal is as follows:

 

“In support of such proposed Resolution it is clear that the stockholders have a right to comprehensively evaluate the management in the manner in which the Corporation is being operated and its resources utilized. At present only a few of the most senior executive officers are so identified, and not the many other senior executive officers who should contribute to the ultimate success of the Corporation. Through such additional identification the stockholders will then be provided an opportunity to better evaluate the soundness and efficacy of the overall management.”

 

“Last year the owners of approximately 15.8% of shares voting, voted FOR this proposal.”

 

“If you AGREE, please mark your proxy FOR this proposal.”

 

The Board of Directors Recommends That You Vote AGAINST Proposal No. 4 for the Following Reasons:

 

Disclosure of executive compensation is governed by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proxy solicitation rules. In accordance with those rules, Con Edison currently provides information on pages 28 to 57 of the Proxy Statement concerning compensation for its highest paid executive officers.

 

The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote AGAINST Proposal No. 4.

 

 

 

Approval of the stockholder proposal (Proposal No. 4) requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Company Common Stock voted on the proposal at the Annual Meeting.

 

 

 

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Information About the Nominees

 

The Board and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee consider the qualifications of Directors and Director candidates individually and in the broader context of the Board’s overall composition and the Company’s current and future needs. The Board believes that the Board, as a whole, should possess a combination of skills, professional experience, and diversity of backgrounds necessary to oversee the Company’s business. The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines to assist it in exercising its responsibilities to the Company and its stockholders. In evaluating Director candidates and considering incumbent Directors for renomination to the Board, the Board and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee consider various factors. Pursuant to the Guidelines, the Committee reviews with the Board the skills and characteristics of Director nominees, including independence, integrity, judgment, business experience, areas of expertise, availability for service, factors relating to the composition of the Board (including its size and structure) and the Company’s principles of diversity. For incumbent Directors, the Committee also considers past performance of the Director on the Board.

 

The current nominees bring to the Company the benefit of their qualifications, leadership, skills, and the diversity of their experience and backgrounds, as set forth below, which provide the Board, as a whole, with the skills and expertise that reflect the needs of the Company’s regulated and unregulated businesses. We show below for each nominee, age as of the date of the Annual Meeting, business experience, period of service as a Director, public or investment company directorships during the past five years, and other directorships.

 

   Eugene R. McGrath, 70
LOGO    Mr. McGrath has leadership, engineering, and operations experience, and knowledge of the utility industry and the Company’s business. Mr. McGrath’s experience from his leadership positions at the Company and his service on other boards support the Board in its oversight of the Company’s management, operations, engineering and strategic planning activities. Mr. McGrath was Chairman of the Board of Con Edison from October 1997 through February 2006, Chairman of Con Edison of New York from September 1990 through February 2006, President and Chief Executive Officer of Con Edison from October 1997 until September 2005, and Chief Executive Officer of Con Edison of New York from September 1990 to September 2005. Mr. McGrath has been a Trustee of Con Edison of New York since 1987, a Director of Con Edison since October 1997, and Chairman of the Board of Orange & Rockland from July 1999 until September 2005. Mr. McGrath serves as a Director of GAMCO Investors, Inc., Sensus (Bermuda 2) Ltd. and Sensus USA Inc., and certain of their affiliates, and, during the past five years, Mr. McGrath also served as a Director of Schering-Plough Corporation through November 2009. Mr. McGrath is also a Director of Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services Limited.

 

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   Gordon J. Davis, 70
LOGO    Mr. Davis has experience as an attorney in real estate, environmental, utilities and financial matters, and experience in government service. Mr. Davis’ legal experience and government service support the Board in its oversight of the Company’s environmental, real estate, and financial activities. Mr. Davis is a Partner at Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, Attorneys at Law, New York, NY, the firm resulting from the merger in October 2007 of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, LLP (“LeBoeuf”) and Dewey Ballantine LLP. Mr. Davis was a Partner at LeBoeuf from October 1994 to October 2007 (except during 2001 when he served as President of Lincoln Center Inc.). Previously, Mr. Davis served as the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the City of New York. Mr. Davis has been a Trustee of Con Edison of New York since 1989 and a Director of Con Edison since December 1997. Mr. Davis serves as a Director of the Dreyfus Funds, Groups III and IX, and Phoenix Companies, Inc. Mr. Davis is also a Director or Trustee of Central Park Conservatory, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Inc. (Founding Chairman Emeritus), John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Municipal Art Society of New York, New York Public Library, New York Public Theater and the Studio Museum in Harlem.
   Ellen V. Futter, 62
LOGO    Ms. Futter has management and operations experience leading major New York not-for-profit entities that provide services to the public. Ms. Futter also has legal and financial experience. Ms. Futter’s experience from her leadership positions at the American Museum of Natural History and Barnard College, her legal experience, and her service on other boards support the Board in its oversight of the Company’s operations and planning activities and the Company’s relationships with stakeholders. Ms. Futter has been the President of the American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, since November 1993. Previously, Ms. Futter served as the President of Barnard College, New York, NY, and as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and was a corporate attorney at the law firm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy. Ms. Futter has been a Trustee of Con Edison of New York since 1989 and a Director of Con Edison since December 1997. Ms. Futter serves as a Director of JPMorgan Chase & Co., Inc., and, during the past five years, Ms. Futter also served as a Director of American International Group, Inc. through July 2008, and Viacom, Inc. through April 2007. Ms. Futter is also a Director or Trustee of NYC & Company and the Brookings Institution and a Manager at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

 

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   Sally H. Piñero, 59
LOGO    Ms. Piñero has experience in business development and government service, and also has legal experience. Ms. Piñero’s experience from her positions as an attorney and in government service supports the Board in its oversight of the Company’s corporate governance, environmental, and planning activities and the Company’s relationships with stakeholders. Ms. Piñero has been a hearing officer with the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings Health Tribunal since January 2012. Previously, Ms. Piñero was an attorney at law in Yonkers, NY from January 2008 through December 2011, President of East Harlem Business Capital Corporation, a non-profit corporation providing business services to promote economic development, from July 2006 to December 2007, and Executive Director of City Harvest, New York, NY, a non-profit corporation that collects and distributes food to community food programs, from August 2005 to July 2006. Ms. Piñero also served as the Managing Director of Fannie Mae American Communities Fund, Chairwoman of the New York City Housing Authority, Deputy Mayor for Finance and Economic Development, and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Financial Services Corporation of New York City. Ms. Piñero has been a Trustee of Con Edison of New York since 1994 and a Director of Con Edison since December 1997.
   Michael J. Del Giudice, 69
LOGO    Mr. Del Giudice has experience in private equity, with a focus on the power and energy infrastructure market, as well as experience in government service. Mr. Del Giudice’s experience from his investment activities and his government service support the Board in its oversight of the Company’s corporate governance, financial, and strategic planning activities, and the Company’s relationships with stakeholders. Mr. Del Giudice has been Senior Managing Director at Millennium Capital Markets LLC, New York, NY, an investment banking firm, since 1996, Senior Managing Director at MCM Securities LLC, New York, NY, a registered broker dealer, since 1996, and Chairman and Senior Managing Director of Rockland Capital, LLC, New York, NY, a private equity company focusing on power and energy infrastructure markets, since 2003. Previously, Mr. Del Giudice was a General Partner at the investment bank of Lazard Freres & Co. LLC, and served as Secretary to the New York State Governor and Chief of Staff to the New York State Assembly Speaker. Mr. Del Giudice has been a Director of Con Edison since July 1999 and a Trustee of Con Edison of New York since May 2002. Mr. Del Giudice serves as a Director of Fusion Telecommunications International, Inc., and Reis, Inc., and, during the past five years, Mr. Del Giudice also served as a Director of Barnes and Noble, Inc. through September 2010. Mr. Del Giudice is also a Director of Sabre Industries, Inc., and is Chairman of the Governor’s Committee on Scholastic Achievement and Vice Chairman of the New York Racing Association.

 

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   George Campbell Jr., Ph.D., 66
LOGO    Dr. Campbell has experience leading one of the nation’s premiere colleges and a non-profit corporation, with a focus on engineering and science. Dr. Campbell also has experience in management and research and development at a public company. Dr. Campbell’s experience from his leadership positions at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, AT&T Bell Laboratories, and NACME, Inc., and his service on other boards support the Board in its oversight of the Company’s operations and management activities. Dr. Campbell, a physicist, was the President from July 2000 through June 2011, and is now President Emeritus of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, New York, NY, a college focusing primarily on engineering, architecture, and art. Previously, Dr. Campbell held various management positions at AT&T Bell Laboratories. Dr. Campbell has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of NACME, Inc., a non-profit corporation focused on engineering education and science and technology policy. Dr. Campbell has been a Director of Con Edison and a Trustee of Con Edison of New York since February 2000. Dr. Campbell serves as a Director of Barnes and Noble, Inc. Dr. Campbell is also a Director or Trustee of the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation, the Josiah Macy Foundation, The Mitre Corporation, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Montefiore Medical Center, the New York Hall of Science, and the Webb Institute of Naval Architecture.
   Vincent A. Calarco, 69
LOGO    Mr. Calarco has experience leading public companies, and has management and executive experience with manufacturing companies. Mr. Calarco’s experience from his leadership positions and financial oversight experience in senior management roles at Newmont Mining Corporation and Crompton Corporation (now known as Chemtura Corporation), and his service on other boards support the Board in its oversight of the Company’s management, financial, operations, and strategic planning activities. Mr. Calarco has been the Non-Executive Chairman of Newmont Mining Corporation, Denver, CO, a gold production company, since January 2008. Mr. Calarco was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crompton Corporation (specialty chemicals, polymer products and equipment), Middlebury, CT from April 1985 to July 2004. Previously, Mr. Calarco held various management and executive positions at Uniroyal Chemical Company. Mr. Calarco has been a Director of Con Edison and a Trustee of Con Edison of New York since September 2001. Mr. Calarco serves as a Director of CPG International, Inc. Mr. Calarco is also a Director of Citadel Plastics Company and a Trustee of Saint Raphael Healthcare System.

 

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   Kevin Burke, 61
LOGO    Mr. Burke has leadership, engineering, operations and legal experience, as well as knowledge of the utility industry and the Company’s business. Mr. Burke’s experience from his leadership positions at the Company, and his service on other boards supports the Board in its oversight of the Company’s management, financial, operations, and strategic planning activities and the Company’s relationships with stakeholders. Mr. Burke has been Chairman of the Board of Con Edison and Con Edison of New York since February 2006. Mr. Burke has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Con Edison and Chief Executive Officer of Con Edison of New York since September 2005. Previously, Mr. Burke was President and Chief Operating Officer of Con Edison of New York from September 2000 until September 2005. Mr. Burke has been a Director of Con Edison, a Trustee of Con Edison of New York and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orange & Rockland since October 2005. Mr. Burke serves as a Director of Honeywell International Inc. Mr. Burke is also a Director or Trustee of American Gas Association, the Business Council of New York State, The Economic Club of New York, Edison Electric Institute, Institute for Electric Efficiency, Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, New York Botanical Garden, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and Partnership for New York City.
   L. Frederick Sutherland, 60
LOGO    Mr. Sutherland has leadership experience at an international managed services company, including experience with financial reporting, internal auditing, mergers and acquisitions, financing, risk management, corporate compliance and corporate planning. Mr. Sutherland also has corporate banking experience. Mr. Sutherland’s experience from his leadership positions at ARAMARK Corporation and Chase Manhattan Bank supports the Board in its oversight of the Company’s financial reporting, auditing, and strategic planning activities. Mr. Sutherland has been the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ARAMARK Corporation, Philadelphia, PA, a provider of services, facilities management and uniform and career apparel, since 1997, and assumed the added responsibilities as Group Executive in 2009. Prior to joining ARAMARK in 1980, Mr. Sutherland was Vice President in the Corporate Banking Department of Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, NY. Mr. Sutherland has been a Director of Con Edison and a Trustee of Con Edison of New York since April 2006. Mr. Sutherland is also the President of the Board of Trustees of People’s Light and Theater and Vice Chairman of the Board of WHYY, a PBS affiliate.

 

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   John F. Killian, 57
LOGO    Mr. Killian has leadership experience at regulated consumer services companies, including experience with financial reporting and internal auditing. Mr. Killian’s experience from his leadership positions at Verizon Communications, Inc., Bell Atlantic and NYNEX CableComms Limited supports the Board in its oversight of the Company’s auditing, financial, operating, and strategic planning activities, and the Company’s relationships with stakeholders. Mr. Killian was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Verizon Communications Inc., a telecommunications company, from March 2009 to December 2010. Previously, Mr. Killian was the President of Verizon Business, Basking Ridge, NJ, from October 2005 until February 2009, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Verizon Telecom from June 2003 until October 2005, and the Senior Vice President and Controller of Verizon Telecom from April 2002 until June 2003. Mr. Killian also served in executive positions at Bell Atlantic and was the President and Chief Executive Officer of NYNEX CableComms Limited (a telecommunications, information services and entertainment company in the United Kingdom). Mr. Killian has been a Director of Con Edison and a Trustee of Con Edison of New York since September 2007. Mr. Killian is also a Director of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and a Trustee of Providence College.
   Michael W. Ranger, 54
LOGO    Mr. Ranger has investment experience focusing on the energy and power sector, investment banking experience in the energy and power sector, and experience as a member of a utility banking group. Mr. Ranger’s experience from his investment activities in the energy and power sector supports the Board in its oversight of the Company’s financial and strategic planning activities. Mr. Ranger has been Senior Managing Director of Diamond Castle Holdings LLC, New York, NY, a private equity investment firm, since 2004 and Non-Executive Chairman of KDC Solar LLC since 2010. Previously, Mr. Ranger was an investment banker in the energy and power sector for twenty years, including at Credit Suisse First Boston, Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette, DLJ Global Energy Partners, and Drexel Burnham Lambert. Mr. Ranger was also a member of the Utility Banking Group at Bankers Trust. Mr. Ranger has been a Director of Con Edison and a Trustee of Con Edison of New York since February 2008. During the past five years, Mr. Ranger also served as a Director of TXU Corp. through October 2007. Mr. Ranger is also a Director or Trustee of Beacon Health Holdings, LLC, Bonten Media Group, Managed Health Care Associates, Inc., Morristown-Beard School, Professional Direction Enterprise, Inc, The Seeing Eye, Inc., and St. Lawrence University.

 

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   John F. Hennessy III, 56
LOGO    Mr. Hennessy has leadership experience at project performance consulting firms, and has engineering and construction industry experience. Mr. Hennessy’s experience from his leadership positions with a project performance consulting firm supports the Board in its oversight of the Company’s operations and financial activities. Mr. Hennessy has been a Partner in the firm of Hennessy & Williamson, a project performance consulting firm, New York, NY, since 2004, and since 2011, an advisor to Turnstone Energy Solutions, an energy management company. Previously, Mr. Hennessy was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Syska Hennessy Group from 1989 to 2004. Mr. Hennessy has been a Director of Con Edison and a Trustee of Con Edison of New York since November 2008. Mr. Hennessy is also Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of the New York Building Congress, Chairman Emeritus of the New York Building Foundation, and Chairman Emeritus of the American Council of Engineering Companies.

 

Meetings and Board Members’ Attendance

 

The Board of Directors held 11 meetings in 2011. At its meetings the Board considers a wide variety of matters involving such things as the Company’s strategic planning, its financial condition and results of operations, its capital and operating budgets, personnel matters, succession planning, risk management, industry issues, accounting practices and disclosure, and corporate governance practices.

 

In accordance with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (currently Mr. Del Giudice) serves as Lead Director and, as such, chairs the executive sessions of the non-management Directors and the independent Directors. The Company’s independent Directors met once in executive session and the non-management Directors met 11 times in executive session during 2011.

 

During 2011, each incumbent member of the Board attended more than 75 percent of the combined meetings of the Board of Directors and the Board Committees on which he or she served.

 

Directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting. All of the current Directors attended the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Corporate Governance

 

Con Edison’s corporate governance documents, including its Corporate Governance Guidelines, the charters of the Audit, Corporate Governance and Nominating, and Management Development and Compensation Committees, and the Code of Ethics are available on the Company’s website at www.conedison.com/investor/governance_documents.asp. The Code of Ethics applies to all Directors, officers and employees. Con Edison intends to post on its website at www.conedison.com/investor/governance_documents.asp amendments to its Code of Ethics and a description of any waiver from a provision of the Code of Ethics granted by the Board to any Director or executive officer of Con Edison within four business days after such amendment or waiver.

 

Leadership Structure

 

The Company’s leadership structure combines the roles of the chairman and chief executive officer. The Board believes that this leadership structure is appropriate for the Company due to Mr. Burke’s knowledge of the

 

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Company and the utility industry, and his extensive engineering, operations and legal experience. The Board consists of a substantial majority of Directors who are independent (see “Board Members’ Independence” on pages 18 to 19), the Board routinely holds executive sessions at which only non-management Directors are present, and the independent Directors meet in executive session at least once a year. Pursuant to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board has oversight responsibility for reviewing the Company’s strategic plans, objectives and risks. The Committees of the Board which administer the Board’s risk oversight function are chaired by non-management Directors (see “Standing Committees of the Board” on pages 19 to 22). In addition, the Board has an independent Lead Director who is the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Lead Director: (i) acts as a liaison between the independent Directors and the Company’s management; (ii) chairs the executive sessions of non-management and independent Directors and has the authority to call additional executive sessions as appropriate; (iii) chairs Board meetings in the Chairman’s absence; (iv) coordinates with the Chairman on agendas and schedules for Board meetings, information flow to the Board, and other matters pertinent to the Company and the Board; and (v) is available for consultation and communication with major stockholders as appropriate.

 

Risk Oversight

 

The Board’s primary function is one of oversight. In connection with its oversight function, the Board oversees the Company’s policies and procedures for managing risk. The Board administers its risk oversight function primarily through its Committees which report to the Board. Board Committees have assumed oversight of various risks that have been identified through the Company’s enterprise risk management program. The Audit Committee reviews the Company’s risk assessment and risk management policies and the Audit Committee reports to the Board on the Company’s risk management program. Management regularly provides reports to the Board and its Committees concerning risks identified through the Company’s enterprise risk management program.

 

Related Person Transactions and Policy

 

The Company has adopted a written policy for approval of transactions between the Company and its Directors, Director nominees, executive officers, greater-than-five percent beneficial owners, and their respective immediate family members, where the amount involved in the transaction exceeds or is expected to exceed $100,000 in a single calendar year.

 

The policy provides that the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee reviews certain transactions subject to the policy and determines whether or not to approve or ratify those transactions. In doing so, the Committee takes into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction. In addition, the Board has delegated authority to the Chair of the Committee to pre-approve or ratify transactions where the aggregate amount involved is expected to be less than $1.0 million. A summary of any new transactions pre-approved by the Chair will be provided to the full Committee for its review in connection with a regularly scheduled Committee meeting.

 

The Committee has considered and adopted standing pre-approvals under the policy for limited transactions with related persons. Pre-approved transactions include:

 

   

business transactions with other companies at which a related person’s only relationship is as an employee (other than an executive officer), director or less-than-10 percent beneficial owner if the amount of business falls below the thresholds in the New York Stock Exchange’s listing standards and the Company’s Director independence standards; and

 

   

contributions to non-profit organizations at which a related person’s only relationship is as an employee (other than an executive officer) or director if the aggregate amount involved is less than both $1.0 million and two percent of the organization’s consolidated gross annual revenues.

 

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At least annually, a summary of new transactions covered by the standing pre-approvals described above will be provided to the Committee for its review.

 

In 2011, Ms. Futter’s brother received approximately $132,000 for providing legal services to Con Edison of New York and will provide such legal services in 2012. The provision of these services by Ms. Futter’s brother was approved by the Committee.

 

Board Members’ Independence

 

The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that the following Directors are “independent” as defined in the New York Stock Exchange’s listing standards: Mr. Calarco, Dr. Campbell, Mr. Davis, Mr. Del Giudice, Mr. Hennessy, Mr. Killian, Ms. Piñero, Mr. Ranger, and Mr. Sutherland.

 

To assist it in making determinations of Director independence, the Board has adopted independence standards, which are set forth in its Corporate Governance Guidelines, available on the Company’s website at www.conedison.com/investor/pdfs/Guidelines.pdf. Under these standards, the Board has determined that each of the relationships below is categorically immaterial and therefore, by itself, does not preclude a Director from being independent:

 

  (i)   (a) the Director has an immediate family member who is a current employee of the Company’s internal or external auditor, but the immediate family member does not personally work on the Company’s audit; or (b) the Director or an immediate family member was, within the last three years, a partner or employee of such a firm but no longer works at the firm and did not personally work on the Company’s audit within that time;

 

  (ii)   the Director or an immediate family member is, or has been within the last three years, employed at another company where any of the Company’s present executive officers at the same time serves or served on that company’s compensation committee, but the Director or the Director’s immediate family member is not an executive officer of the other company and his or her compensation is not determined or reviewed by that company’s compensation committee;

 

  (iii)   the Director is a current employee, or an immediate family member is a current executive officer, of a company that has made payments to, or received payments from, the Company for property or services in any of the last three fiscal years, but the total payments in each year were less than $1.0 million, or two percent of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues, whichever is greater;

 

  (iv)   the Director is a partner or the owner of five percent or more of the voting stock of another company that has made payments to, or received payments from, the Company for property or services in any of the last three fiscal years, but the total payments in each year were less than $1.0 million, or two percent of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues, whichever is greater;

 

  (v)   the Director is a partner, the owner of five percent or more of the voting stock or an executive officer of another company which is indebted to the Company, or to which the Company is indebted, but the total amount of the indebtedness in each of the last three fiscal years was less than $1.0 million, or two percent of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues, whichever is greater; and

 

  (vi)   the Director or an immediate family member is a director or an executive officer of a non-profit organization to which the Company has made contributions in any of the last three fiscal years, but the Company’s total contributions to the organization in each year were less than $1.0 million, or two percent of such organization’s consolidated gross revenues, whichever is greater.

 

In assessing independence, the Board considered that during 2011, Dr. Campbell and Mr. Davis were affiliated with organizations that did business with Con Edison. Con Edison made payments to, or received payments from, these organizations for property or services in 2011. However, in each case, the payments made by or to Con Edison were less than one percent of the recipient organization’s consolidated gross revenues and fell significantly below the thresholds in paragraphs (iii) and (iv) of Con Edison’s Director independence standards disclosed above. In assessing independence, the Board also considered that a non-profit organization,

 

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of which Dr. Campbell was an executive officer through June 2011, received contributions from Con Edison in 2011 of no more than $350,000. Con Edison’s relationship with such organization predates Dr. Campbell’s service on the Board and Dr. Campbell’s employment by such organization.

 

Standing Committees of the Board

 

Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee, composed of four independent Directors (currently Mr. Calarco, Chair, Mr. Del Giudice, Mr. Killian, and Mr. Sutherland), is responsible for the appointment of the independent accountants for the Company, subject to stockholder ratification at the Annual Meeting. If the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not ratified, the Audit Committee will take this into consideration in the future selection of independent accountants. The Committee meets with the Company’s management, including Con Edison of New York’s General Auditor, the General Counsel, and the Company’s independent accountants, several times a year to discuss internal controls and accounting matters, the Company’s financial statements, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, earnings press releases and the scope and results of the auditing programs of the independent accountants and of Con Edison of New York’s internal auditing department. The Committee also oversees the Company’s risk assessment and risk management policies, and the Company’s management of risks, relating to the Committee’s duties and responsibilities that have been identified through the Company’s enterprise risk management program. Each member of the Committee is “independent” as defined in the New York Stock Exchange’s listing standards. Con Edison’s Board of Directors has determined that each Director on the Audit Committee is an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K and is “independent” as such term is defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committee held seven meetings in 2011.

 

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

 

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, composed of four independent Directors (currently Mr. Del Giudice, Chair, Mr. Calarco, Dr. Campbell, and Ms. Piñero), annually evaluates each Director’s individual performance when considering whether to nominate the Director for re-election to the Board and is responsible for recommending candidates to fill vacancies on the Board. In addition, the Committee assists with respect to the composition and size of the Board and of all Committees of the Board. The Committee also makes recommendations to the Board as to the compensation of Board members as well as other corporate governance matters, including Board independence criteria and determinations and corporate governance guidelines. Additionally, the Committee oversees the Company’s management of risks, relating to the Committee’s duties and responsibilities that have been identified through the Company’s enterprise risk management program.

 

All of the members of the Committee are “independent” as defined in the New York Stock Exchange’s listing standards. Con Edison’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Board of Directors consists of a substantial majority of Directors who meet the New York Stock Exchange definition of independence, as determined by the Board in accordance with the standards described in the Guidelines under “Board Members’ Independence” beginning on page 18. Among its duties, the Committee reviews the skills and characteristics of Director candidates as well as their integrity, judgment, business experience, areas of expertise and availability for service, factors relating to the composition of the Board (including its size and structure) and the Company’s principles of diversity.

 

The Committee has the authority under its charter to hire advisors to assist it in its decisions. The Committee retains a professional search firm to assist it in identifying director candidates. The search firm assists the Committee in developing criteria for potential Board members to complement the Board’s existing strengths. Based on such criteria, the firm also provides the Committee, for its review and consideration, lists of potential candidates with background information. After consulting with the Committee, the firm further screens and interviews candidates as directed by the Committee to determine their qualifications, interest and any potential conflicts of interest and provides its results to the Committee. The Committee also considers candidates

 

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recommended by stockholders. There are no differences in the manner in which the Committee will evaluate candidates recommended by stockholders. The Committee will make an initial determination as to whether a particular candidate meets the Company’s criteria for Board membership, and will then further consider candidates that do. Stockholder recommendations for candidates, accompanied by biographical material for evaluation, may be sent to the Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the Company. Each recommendation should include information as to the qualifications of the candidate and should be accompanied by a written statement (presented to the Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the Company) from the suggested candidate to the effect that the candidate is willing to serve.

 

The Committee has also retained Mercer (US) Inc. (“Mercer”) to provide information, analyses, and objective advice regarding director compensation. The Committee directs Mercer to: (i) assist the Committee by providing competitive market information on the design of the director compensation program, (ii) advise the Committee on the design of the director compensation program and also provide advice on the administration of the program, and (iii) brief the Committee on director compensation trends among the Company’s compensation peer group and broader industry. The chief executive officer is the Chairman of the Board and together with the other Board members considers the recommendations of the Committee. The decisions may reflect factors and considerations in addition to the information and advice provided by Mercer.

 

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee held three meetings in 2011.

 

Environment, Health and Safety Committee

 

The Environment, Health and Safety Committee, composed of four non-management Directors (currently Ms. Futter, Chair, Mr. Davis, Mr. Hennessy, and Ms. Piñero), provides advice and counsel to the Company’s management on corporate environment, health and safety policies and on such other environment, health and safety matters as from time-to-time the Committee deems appropriate, reviews significant issues relating to the Company’s environment, health and safety programs and its compliance with environment, health and safety laws and regulations, and makes such other reviews and recommends to the Board such other actions as it may deem necessary or desirable to help promote sound planning by the Company with due regard to the protection of the environment, health and safety. Additionally, the Committee oversees the Company’s management of risks, relating to the Committee’s duties and responsibilities that have been identified through the Company’s enterprise risk management program. The Environment, Health and Safety Committee held four meetings in 2011.

 

Executive Committee

 

The Executive Committee, composed of Mr. Burke, the Chairman of the Board and of the Committee, and three non-management Directors (currently Mr. Calarco, Mr. Del Giudice, and Mr. McGrath), may exercise, during intervals between the meetings of the Board, all the powers vested in the Board, except for certain specified matters. No meetings of the Executive Committee were held in 2011.

 

Finance Committee

 

The Finance Committee, composed of four independent Directors (currently Mr. Sutherland, Chair, Mr. Davis, Mr. Hennessy, and Mr. Ranger), reviews and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the Company’s financial condition and policies, capital and operating budgets, financial forecasts, major contracts and real estate transactions, financings, investments, bank credit arrangements, its dividend policy, strategic business plan and litigation and other financial matters. Additionally, the Committee oversees the Company’s management of risks, relating to the Committee’s duties and responsibilities that have been identified through the Company’s enterprise risk management program. The Finance Committee held eight meetings in 2011.

 

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Management Development and Compensation Committee

 

The Management Development and Compensation Committee, composed of four independent Directors (currently Dr. Campbell, Chair, Mr. Calarco, Mr. Del Giudice, and Mr. Killian), makes recommendations to the Board relating to officer and senior management appointments. The Committee also establishes and oversees the Company’s executive compensation and benefit plans and policies, administers its equity plans and annual incentive plan and reviews and approves annually all compensation relating to the Named Executive Officers under the Company’s compensation program. Additionally, the Committee oversees the Company’s management of risks, relating to the Committee’s duties and responsibilities that have been identified through the Company’s enterprise risk management program.

 

The Committee has the authority, under its charter, to engage the services of outside advisors, experts and others to assist it. The Committee engages Mercer to provide information, analyses, and objective advice regarding executive compensation. The Committee directs Mercer to: (i) assist the Committee in the development and assessment of the compensation peer group for the purposes of providing competitive market information for the design of the compensation program, (ii) compare the Company’s chief executive officer’s base salary, annual incentive and long-term incentive compensation to that of the chief executive officers of the identified compensation peer group and broader industry, (iii) advise the Committee on the officers’ base salaries and target award levels within the annual and long-term incentive plans, (iv) advise the Committee on the design of the Company’s annual and long-term incentive plans and also provide advice on the administration of the plans, (v) brief the Committee on executive compensation trends among the Company’s compensation peer group and broader industry, and (vi) assist with the preparation of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis Report for this Proxy Statement. The Committee held six meetings in 2011, of which Mercer attended five.

 

For a discussion of the role of the Committee and information about the Company’s processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation, see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis Report beginning on page 28 of the Proxy Statement.

 

In addition, the Committee also reviews and makes recommendations as necessary to provide for orderly succession and transition in the executive management of the Company and receives reports and makes recommendations with respect to minority and female recruitment, employment and promotion. It also oversees and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), and reviews and makes recommendations with respect to benefit plans and plan amendments, the selection of plan trustees and the funding policy and contributions to the funded plans, and reviews the performance of the funded plans. Each of the members of the Committee is “independent” as defined in the New York Stock Exchange’s listing standards, meets the “outside director” criteria of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, and the “Non-Employee” Director criteria of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Operations Oversight Committee

 

The Operations Oversight Committee, composed of five non-management Directors (currently Mr. McGrath, Chair, Dr. Campbell, Ms. Futter, Mr. Hennessy, and Mr. Killian), oversees the Company’s operation of its electric, gas and steam delivery systems and their impact on the customer. Additionally, the Committee oversees the Company’s management of risks, relating to the Committee’s duties and responsibilities that have been identified through the Company’s enterprise risk management program. The Operations Oversight Committee held five meetings in 2011.

 

Planning Committee

 

The Planning Committee, composed of five non-management Directors (currently Ms. Piñero, Chair, Mr. Davis, Ms. Futter, Mr. McGrath, and Mr. Ranger), reviews and makes recommendations to the Board

 

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regarding long-range planning for the Company. Additionally, the Committee oversees the Company’s management of risks, relating to the Committee’s duties and responsibilities that have been identified through the Company’s enterprise risk management program. The Planning Committee held three meetings in 2011.

 

Compensation Consultant Fee Disclosure

 

The Management Development and Compensation Committee has retained Mercer, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan, to assist the Committee with its responsibilities related to the Company’s executive and Director compensation programs. Mercer’s fees for executive and Director compensation consulting to the Committee in 2011 were approximately $235,000.

 

During 2011, the Company retained Marsh & McLennan affiliates to provide services, unrelated to executive compensation. These services were approved by the Company’s management. The aggregate fees paid for these other services, which include litigation and economic consulting, and a corporate membership for safety professionals, were approximately $467,000.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

Mr. Calarco, Dr. Campbell (Chair), Mr. Del Giudice and Mr. Killian were on Con Edison’s Management Development and Compensation Committee during 2011. The Company believes that there are no interlocks with the members who serve on this Committee.

 

Communications with the Board of Directors

 

Interested parties may communicate directly with the members of the Board of Directors, including the non-management Directors as a group, by writing to them, care of the Company’s Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Con Edison, 4 Irving Place, New York, New York 10003. The Vice President and Corporate Secretary will forward all communications to the Director or the Directors indicated.

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

Those members of the Board who are not employees of the Company or its subsidiaries were paid an annual retainer of $75,000. The Lead Director received an additional annual retainer of $20,000. Effective April 1, 2012, each non-employee member of the Board received an annual retainer of $90,000 and the Lead Director received an additional annual retainer of $35,000.

 

In 2011, the Chairs of the Environment, Health and Safety, Finance, Operations Oversight and Planning Committees each received an additional annual retainer of $5,000. The Chairs of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and Management Development and Compensation Committee each received an additional annual retainer of $10,000. The Audit Committee Chair received an additional annual retainer of $20,000, and each Audit Committee member received an additional annual retainer of $10,000 and a fee of $2,000 for each meeting of the Audit Committee attended. Members of the other Committees of the Board or of the Boards of its subsidiaries received a fee of $1,500 for each meeting of a Committee attended. The Acting Chair of any Board Committee, at meetings where the regular Chair is absent, was paid an additional meeting fee of $200 for any Committee meeting at which he or she presided.

 

In 2011, the Company reimbursed Board members who were not currently officers of the Company for reasonable expenses incurred in attending Board and Committee meetings. No person who served on both the Con Edison Board and on the Board of its subsidiary, Con Edison of New York, and corresponding Committees, was paid additional compensation for concurrent service. Members of the Board who were officers of the Company or its subsidiaries received no retainer or meeting fees for their service on the Board.

 

The Company has stock ownership guidelines for Directors under which each Director is to own shares with a value equal to three times the annual director retainer (not including committee and/or committee chair fees) paid to such Director during the previous fiscal year.

 

Members of the Board participate in the long term incentive plan. Pursuant to the long term incentive plan, each non-management Director was allocated an annual award of $90,000 of deferred stock units following the 2011 Annual Meeting. Effective April 1, 2012, on the first business day following each annual meeting, each non-management Director will be allocated an annual award of $105,000 of deferred stock units. If a non-management Director was first appointed to the Board after an annual meeting, his or her first annual award will be pro rated. Settlement of the 2011 annual awards of stock units were deferred until the Director’s termination of service from the Board of Directors. Each Director may elect to defer all or a portion of his or her 2011 retainers and meeting fees into additional deferred stock units, which are deferred until the Director’s termination of service. Dividend equivalents are payable on 2011 deferred stock units in the amount and at the time that dividends are paid on Company Common Stock and are credited in the form of additional deferred stock units which are fully vested as of the date the dividends would have been paid to the Director or, at the Director’s option, are paid in cash. All payments on account of deferred stock units will be made in shares of Company Common Stock. The long term incentive plan provides that cash compensation deferred into stock units, the annual stock unit awards, and the dividend equivalents granted to non-management Directors that are credited in the form of additional deferred stock units, are fully vested, and payable in a single one-time payment of whole shares (rounded to the nearest whole share) within sixty days following separation from Board service.

 

Directors are eligible to participate in the stock purchase plan, which is described in Note M to the financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

 

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Director Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth the compensation for the members of the Company’s Board of Directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

 

Director Compensation

 

Name

   Fees Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
     Stock
Awards(1)
($)
     All Other
Compensation(2)
($)
    Total
($)
 

Kevin Burke(3)

     —           —           —          —     

Vincent A. Calarco

   $ 130,000       $ 90,000         —        $ 220,000   

George Campbell, Jr.

   $ 112,000       $ 90,000       $ 10,500      $ 212,500   

Gordon J. Davis

   $ 97,700       $ 90,000       $ 8,000      $ 195,700   

Michael J. Del Giudice

   $ 153,000       $ 90,000         —        $ 243,000   

Ellen V. Futter

   $ 99,500       $ 90,000       $ 15,000 (4)    $ 204,500   

John F. Hennessy III

   $ 103,500       $ 90,000         —        $ 193,500   

John F. Killian

   $ 129,000       $ 90,000       $ 10,500      $ 229,500   

Eugene R. McGrath

   $ 95,000       $ 90,000         —        $ 185,000   

Sally H. Piñero

   $ 95,000       $ 90,000         —        $ 185,000   

Michael W. Ranger

   $ 97,500       $ 90,000         —        $ 187,500   

L. Frederick Sutherland

   $ 122,000       $ 90,000         —        $ 212,000   

 

Footnotes:

(1)   On May 17, 2011, each of the Directors, except Mr. Burke, received a grant of 1,687 stock units. The stock units were valued at $53.35 per share and are the equivalent of $90,000. The stock units are fully vested at the time of grant. Pursuant to the Company’s long term incentive plan, and as indicated in Note M to the financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the stock units are valued in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(2)   This column includes matching contributions made by the Company to qualified educational institutions under its matching gift program. All directors and employees are eligible to participate in this program. The Company matches up to a total of $10,500 per eligible participant to qualified educational institutions per calendar year. Gifts of up to $3,000 are matched by the Company on a two-for-one basis and gifts that are greater than $3,000 are matched by the Company on a one-for-one basis (up to the $7,500 maximum).
(3)   Mr. Burke did not receive any director compensation because he is an officer of the Company and only non-management Directors receive director compensation.
(4)   Includes amounts matched by the Company in 2010 and paid in 2011.

 

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The following table includes information, as of February 29, 2012, with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of the Company by each Director, each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table, and by all Directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. Each executive officer and member of the Board held his or her shares with sole voting power and sole investment power, except for the restricted stock units and deferred stock units (the holders of which have no voting rights or investment power) and shares as to which voting power, or investment power, or both, were shared with a spouse or a relative of such person. As of February 29, 2012, such ownership was, in each case, less than one percent of the outstanding 292,931,898 shares.

 

Beneficial Owner

   Amount and Nature  of
Beneficial
Ownership(1)
     Other Stock-
Based Holdings(2)
     Total Number of Shares  

Vincent A. Calarco

     19,166         —           19,166   

George Campbell, Jr.

     20,290         7,113         27,403   

Gordon J. Davis

     24,165         —           24,165   

Michael J. Del Giudice

     28,841         —           28,841   

Ellen V. Futter

     15,567         6,000         21,567   

John F. Hennessy III

     6,028         —           6,028   

John F. Killian

     3,360         4,829         8,189   

Eugene R. McGrath

     60,696         —           60,696   

Sally H. Piñero

     24,806         1,500         26,306   

Michael W. Ranger

     16,505         —           16,505   

L. Frederick Sutherland

     20,537         —           20,537   

Kevin Burke

     231,479         25,936         257,415   

Robert Hoglund

     19,116         15,000         34,116   

Craig Ivey

     7,853         —           7,853   

William Longhi

     24,264         —           24,264   

Elizabeth D. Moore

     1,331         —           1,331   

Directors and Executive Officers as a group, including the above-named persons
(22 persons)

     626,424         65,956         692,380   

 

Footnotes:

(1)   Includes for the Directors, stock units that were deferred until the respective Director’s separation from the Board of Directors (“DSUs”): Mr. Calarco—18,766; Dr. Campbell—15,015; Mr. Davis—24,163; Mr. Del Giudice—27,324; Ms. Futter—13,621; Mr. Hennessy —6,028; Mr. Killian—3,360; Mr. McGrath—13,170; Ms. Piñero—24,468; Mr. Ranger—16,505; and Mr. Sutherland—16,537. Includes for the Named Executive Officers vested restricted stock units the receipt of which the officer deferred until the officer’s separation from the Company, for: Mr. Burke—restricted stock units: 142,528; Mr. Hoglund—restricted stock units: 15,000; Mr. Ivey—restricted stock units: 0; Mr. Longhi—restricted stock units: 13,532; and Ms. Moore—restricted stock units: 0. These officers had no other restricted stock units that were to vest, and no exercisable or unexercisable stock options that were to become exercisable, within 60 days of February 29, 2012.
(2)  

Represents shares, stock units or DSUs that have been deferred more than 60 days after February 29, 2012.

 

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The following table provides, as of December 31, 2011, information with respect to persons who are known to the Company to beneficially own more than five percent of Company Common Stock:

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

   Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned
    Percent of
Class
 

State Street Corporation

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

     18,445,649 (1)      6.3

BlackRock, Inc.

40 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

     16,119,297 (2)      5.5

 

Footnotes:

(1)   State Street Corporation stated in its Schedule 13G, filed on February 9, 2012 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that it has shared voting and dispositive power for 18,445,649 shares of Company Common Stock.
(2)   BlackRock, Inc. stated in its Schedule 13G, filed on February 9, 2012 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that it has sole voting and dispositive power for 16,119,297 shares of Company Common Stock.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Directors and executive officers of the Company to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of the equity securities of the Company and its subsidiaries with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to furnish copies of these reports to the Company, within specified time limits. Based upon its review of the reports furnished to the Company for 2011 pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Act, the Company believes that all of the reports were filed on a timely basis, except for one report, which was filed late: for Michael W. Ranger (Director), relating to 371 deferred stock units acquired pursuant to a voluntary deferral of meeting and retainer fees on December 30, 2011.

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

The Company’s Audit Committee consisted of four independent Directors in 2011. Each member of the Audit Committee meets the qualifications required by the New York Stock Exchange and Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2011. The Audit Committee has also discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), the Company’s independent public accountants, the matters required to be discussed under the rules adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”).

 

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding PwC’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee has discussed with PwC its independence and qualifications. The Audit Committee also has considered whether the provision of limited non-audit services to the Company is compatible with the independence of PwC and concluded that it was.

 

Based on the Audit Committee’s review and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Audit Committee:

 

Vincent A. Calarco (Chair)

Michael J. Del Giudice

John F. Killian

L. Frederick Sutherland

 

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Fees Paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

Fees paid or payable to PwC for services related to 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 

     2011      2010  

Audit Fees

   $ 4,016,555       $ 4,523,348   

Audit-Related Fees(a)

   $ 727,446       $ 71,823   

Tax Fees

   $ —         $ —     

All Other Fees

   $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL FEES

   $ 4,744,001       $ 4,595,171   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Footnote:

(a)   Relates to assurance and related service fees that are reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit or quarterly reviews of the Company’s financial statements that are not specifically deemed “Audit Services.” The major items included in Audit-Related Fees in 2011 are fees for a review of the Company’s implementation of a new financial and supply-chain enterprise resource planning system, and for compliance audits of certain smart electric grid projects for which the Company is receiving grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, and in 2010 fees for a review of the Company’s enterprise risk management program.

 

The Audit Committee, or as delegated by the Audit Committee, the Chair of the Committee, approves in advance each auditing service and non-audit service permitted by applicable laws and regulations, including tax services, to be provided to the Company and its subsidiaries by its independent accountants.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

 

The Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Committee”) is composed of four independent Directors. The Committee establishes, reviews and administers the Company’s executive compensation program for the Chief Executive Officer and the other members of senior management, including the Named Executive Officers listed on the Summary Compensation Table, and determines the compensation of such officers.

 

The Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis Report (the “CD&A”) for 2011 with management of the Company. Based on this review and discussion, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the CD&A be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and this Proxy Statement.

 

Management Development and Compensation Committee:

 

George Campbell, Jr. (Chair)

Vincent A. Calarco

Michael J. Del Giudice

John F. Killian

 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS REPORT

 

Introduction

 

This section of the proxy statement provides management’s discussion and analysis of the Company’s 2011 executive compensation program (the “compensation program”). The compensation program covers the Company’s officers, including the Named Executive Officers. The discussion and analysis addresses:

 

  I.   Executive summary of the compensation program;

 

  II.   Compensation program overview, philosophy and objectives;

 

  III.   Role of the Committee and others in determining executive compensation;

 

  IV.   Committee actions with respect to executive compensation;

 

  V.   Retirement and other benefits;

 

  VI.   Stock ownership guidelines;

 

  VII.    Recoupment policy; and

 

  VIII.   Tax deductibility of pay.

 

I.   Executive Summary of the Compensation Program

 

The Company’s compensation program is designed to assist in attracting and retaining key executives critical to the Company’s long-term success, and to motivate these executives to create value for its stockholders and to provide safe, reliable, and efficient service for its customers. The Committee seeks to provide base salary, and performance-based variable compensation, including target annual cash incentive compensation and target long-term equity-based incentive compensation, that is competitive with the median level of compensation provided by the Company’s compensation peer group (see “Compensation Peer Group” on page 32).

 

The Committee believes that variable compensation should represent the most significant portion of each Named Executive Officer’s target total direct compensation to motivate strong annual and multi-year Company performance. Additionally, the Committee believes that most of the variable compensation should be in the form of long-term, rather than annual incentives, to emphasize the importance of sustained Company performance. Each year, the Committee evaluates the level of compensation and the mix of base and variable compensation of

 

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each Named Executive Officer to ensure that it meets the Committee’s objectives and is competitive with levels of compensation of the compensation peer group.

 

Key features of the compensation program include:

 

   

Base salary: recognizes individual responsibility and performance.

 

   

Variable compensation:

 

  ¡    

Annual incentive compensation: recognizes achievement of financial and operating objectives for which the Named Executive Officers have individual and collective responsibility.

 

  ¡    

Long-term incentive compensation: recognizes achievement, over a three-year period, of financial and operating objectives critical to the performance of the Company’s business and its total shareholder return relative to its compensation peer group.

 

The following governance features assist in aligning the compensation program with the long-term interests of the Company’s stockholders:

 

   

The Committee retains a compensation consultant to provide information, analyses, and objective advice regarding executive compensation, and to annually evaluate the Company’s compensation-related risk management (see “Compensation Policies and Practices as They Relate to the Company’s Risk Management” on page 43);

 

   

The Company’s compensation recoupment policy applies to all officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, and is intended to reduce potential risks associated with our compensation program, and align the long-term interests of the officers and stockholders (see “Recoupment Policy” on page 42); and

 

   

Stock ownership guidelines for the Named Executive Officers and certain senior officers encourage a long-term commitment to the Company’s sustained performance and align the interests of the senior officers with stockholders (see “Stock Ownership Guidelineson page 42).

 

In 2011, the Company held a “say-on-pay” vote to approve the Company’s Named Executive Officer compensation, as set forth in the 2011 proxy statement, and 92.04% of the shares voted were voted “for” the proposal. The Committee considered the results of the vote and continued to apply the same compensation program, philosophy and objectives in determining the amounts and types of Named Executive Officer compensation. In 2011, the Company also held a “frequency-of-say-on-pay” vote. The Company’s stockholders indicated a preference for annual “say-on-pay” votes to approve the Company’s named executive officer compensation, with 98.22% of the shares voted voting “for” the proposal. The Company will follow that preference and conduct annual “say-on-pay” votes.

 

II.   Compensation Program Overview, Philosophy and Objectives

 

A. Compensation Program Overview

 

The compensation program consists of the following components:

 

   

Base salary;

 

   

Annual incentive compensation;

 

   

Long-term incentive compensation;

 

   

Retirement and welfare benefits; and

 

   

Perquisites and personal benefits.

 

The Company’s Named Executive Officers are:

 

   

Kevin Burke, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer;

 

   

Robert Hoglund, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer;

 

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Craig Ivey, President of Con Edison of New York;

 

   

William Longhi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Orange & Rockland; and

 

   

Elizabeth D. Moore, General Counsel.

 

B. Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 

The Committee has established the following philosophy and objectives to govern the development and implementation of the Company’s compensation program. There are no material differences in the Company’s compensation policies for each Named Executive Officer.

 

(i) Competitive Positioning—Attraction and Retention

 

The Company’s compensation program is designed to assist in attracting and retaining key executives critical to the Company’s long-term success. The Committee seeks to provide base salary, target annual incentive awards, and target long-term incentive award values that are competitive with levels of compensation provided by the Company’s compensation peer group. The Company also seeks to provide retirement and welfare benefits, perquisites, and personal benefits that are competitive with those provided by the compensation peer group.

 

In 2011, the Named Executive Officers’ target total direct compensation compared to the Company’s compensation peer group median was as follows:

 

     Company Target Compensation as a Percentage of
Peer Group Median Target
 

Principal Position

   Base Salary     Target Total Cash
Compensation
(Base Salary +
Target
Annual Incentive)
    Target
Long-Term
Incentive
Compensation
    Target
Total Direct
Compensation
 

Chief Executive Officer

     97     94     90     89

Other Named Executive Officers (Average)(1)

     95     89     83     83

 

Footnote:

(1)   Based on comparisons to compensation for functionally comparable positions at the Company’s compensation peer group companies for the positions held by the chief financial officer, the president of Con Edison of New York, the president and chief executive officer of Orange & Rockland, and the general counsel.

 

(ii) Pay-Performance Alignment and Target Total Direct Compensation Mix

 

The Company’s compensation program is designed to motivate its officers to create value for its stockholders and provide safe, reliable and efficient service for its customers. The Committee seeks to ensure that the target total direct compensation of each Named Executive Officer is balanced appropriately between base salary (fixed compensation) and annual incentive and long-term incentive compensation (variable compensation). The Committee believes that fixed compensation should recognize each Named Executive Officer’s individual responsibility and performance. The Committee believes that variable compensation should represent the most significant portion of each Named Executive Officer’s target total direct compensation to motivate strong annual and multi-year performance. The Committee also believes that most of the total variable compensation targeted to each Named Executive Officer should be in the form of long-term, rather than annual, incentives, to emphasize the importance of sustained Company performance. The target annual incentive and target long-term incentive grants made to each Named Executive Officer by the Committee reflect the Committee’s desired balance between these elements, relative to the base salary paid to each executive. Awards under the Company’s annual incentive plan are based on achieving financial and operating objectives critical to the performance of the Company’s businesses. Awards of performance restricted stock units under the Company’s long-term incentive plan are based on achieving financial and operating objectives and the Company’s total shareholder return relative to the total shareholder return for the Company’s compensation peer group over a three-year period.

 

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As shown below for 2011, the mix of target total direct compensation for the Named Executive Officers meets the Committee’s objectives: each is weighted heavily towards performance-based variable compensation, with the largest portion delivered in long-term incentives. As each element of compensation for the chief executive officer and the other Named Executive Officers as a group is set at median levels for chief executive officers and other named executive officers (based on comparisons to compensation for functionally comparable positions) of the compensation peer group, we believe the target total direct compensation mix of the Named Executive Officers is in line with that of the compensation peer group.

 

The following charts illustrate the average mix of target total direct compensation for the chief executive officer and for chief executive officers in our compensation peer group for 2011:

LOGO

 

The following charts illustrate the average mix of target total direct compensation for the other Named Executive Officers and other named executive officers (based on comparisons to compensation for functionally comparable positions) in our compensation peer group for 2011:

 

LOGO

 

III.   Role of the Committee and Others in Determining Executive Compensation

 

A. Committee’s Role

 

The role of the Committee is to establish and oversee the Company’s executive compensation and benefit plans and policies, administer its equity plans and annual incentive plan and review and approve annually all compensation relating to the Named Executive Officers. All of the decisions with respect to determining the amount or form of compensation of the Named Executive Officers under the Company’s compensation program are made by the Committee.

 

B. Management’s Role

 

The role of the Company’s chief executive officer with respect to determining the amount or form of the compensation of the other Named Executive Officers is to provide his recommendations to the Committee. The

 

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chief executive officer is not present when the Committee determines his compensation. The chief executive officer considers the following in making his recommendations:

 

   

Individual performance of the other Named Executive Officers;

 

   

The other Named Executive Officer’s contribution towards the Company’s long-term performance;

 

   

The scope of their individual responsibilities; and

 

   

Compensation peer group proxy data provided by the Committee’s compensation consultant.

 

The Company’s Human Resources department also supports the Committee in its work.

 

C. Compensation Consultant’s Role

 

The Committee has the authority under its charter to hire advisors to assist it in its compensation decisions. It has retained Mercer as its compensation consultant to provide information, analyses, and objective advice regarding executive compensation. The Committee periodically meets with Mercer in executive session to discuss compensation matters. The Committee’s decisions reflect factors and considerations in addition to the information and advice provided by Mercer. A discussion of Mercer’s role as the Committee’s compensation consultant is set forth in the section titled “Standing Committees of the Board” on pages 19 to 22.

 

IV.   Committee Actions with Respect to Executive Compensation

 

A. Compensation Peer Group

 

For 2011, the Committee used a compensation peer group of 20 publicly-traded utility companies of comparable size and scope to that of the Company. The companies in the compensation peer group have revenues that range from approximately 50 percent below to approximately 30 percent above the revenues of the Company. The purpose of the compensation peer group, which is reviewed annually by the Committee, is to provide benchmark information on compensation levels provided to the Company’s officers, as well as measuring relative total shareholder returns for the vesting of performance restricted stock unit awards.

 

For 2011, the Company’s compensation peer group consisted of the following companies:

 

Ameren Corporation

   FirstEnergy Corp.

American Electric Power Company, Inc.

   NextEra Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

   NiSource Inc.

Constellation Energy Group, Inc.

   Pepco Holdings, Inc.

Dominion Resources, Inc.

   PG&E Corporation

DTE Energy Company

   PPL Corporation

Duke Energy Corporation

   Progress Energy, Inc.

Edison International

   Sempra Energy

Entergy Corporation

   The Southern Company

Exelon Corporation

   Xcel Energy Inc.

 

B. Base Salary

 

A portion of each officer’s annual cash compensation is paid in the form of base salary. Base salary is reviewed on an annual basis to recognize individual performance, as well as at the time of a promotion or other change in responsibilities.

 

In setting base salary for the Company’s Named Executive Officers, including the chief executive officer, the Committee considers various factors, including:

 

   

Recommendations from the chief executive officer for the other Named Executive Officers;

 

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A general assessment of each Named Executive Officer’s performance of his or her responsibilities; and

 

   

The level of base salary compared to executives holding equivalent positions in the Company’s compensation peer group.

 

Effective March 1, 2011, base salary merit increases for the Named Executive Officers as a group increased by an average of 3.7 percent to align the Named Executive Officers’ base salaries with the market median for equivalent positions in the Company’s compensation peer group. The 2011 base salary of each Named Executive Officer is set forth in the “Salary” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 44.

 

C. Annual Incentive Compensation

 

(i) Awards

 

A significant portion of the annual cash compensation paid to the officers is directly related to the Company’s financial and operating performance, factors that the Committee believes influence stockholder value.

 

Individual performance is taken into consideration in setting annual incentive compensation through the establishment by the Committee of financial and operating objectives for which the Named Executive Officers have individual and collective responsibility.

 

(ii) Potential Awards

 

For 2011, the Committee set the range of the award that each Named Executive Officer was eligible to receive under the annual incentive plan after considering various factors, including:

 

   

Recommendations from the chief executive officer for the other Named Executive Officers;

 

   

A general assessment of each Named Executive Officer’s performance of his or her responsibilities; and

 

   

The level of annual incentive compensation compared to executives holding functionally comparable positions in the Company’s compensation peer group.

 

The range of awards included threshold, target and maximum levels reflecting differing levels of achievement of the various financial and operating objectives. Awards are scaled to reflect relative levels of achievement of the objectives between the threshold, target and maximum levels. The range of each Named Executive Officer’s potential award is set forth on the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 45. Awards under the annual incentive plan are designed to provide a competitive level of compensation if the officers achieve the target financial and operating objectives. Over the past three years, the aggregate actual awards to the Named Executive Officers ranged from 105.5 percent to 156.7 percent of aggregate target annual incentive awards. Pursuant to the terms of the annual incentive plan, the Committee has the discretion to adjust (upward or downward) the annual incentive awards to be paid to an officer.

 

Awards under the annual incentive plan are calculated as follows:

 

Base Salary         X        Target Percentage         X        Weighting Earned

 

Base Salary” is the annual base salary of the officer as of the end of the year to which the annual incentive award relates, and is determined as discussed under the caption “Base Salary” on pages 32 to 33.

 

Target Percentage” is a percentage of base salary that varies based on an officer’s position. The chief executive officer’s target is 100 percent; the target for the president of Con Edison of New York and the president and chief executive officer of Orange & Rockland is 80 percent; and the target for the chief financial officer and the general counsel is 50 percent.

 

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Weighting Earned” is the sum of the weightings earned for the financial and operating objectives. For each officer, target weightings totaling 100 percent are assigned to each of the officer’s objectives. Weightings earned reflect achievement of the objectives and may vary from zero to 200 percent. If actual results are between performance targets, weightings earned are interpolated.

 

(iii) Financial Objectives

 

The financial objectives under the annual incentive plan were selected as those most indicative of the Company’s success during the year. For 2011, the financial objectives consisted of “adjusted net income” and “other financial performance” components.

 

The “adjusted net income” component, reflecting the financial results of the Company’s business for which its officers are responsible and accounting for 50 percent of each Named Executive Officer’s potential annual incentive award, was: the adjusted Company net income, for the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer and the general counsel; the adjusted regulated net income (the total adjusted net income for Con Edison of New York and Orange & Rockland) for the president of Con Edison of New York; and, 70 percent of Orange & Rockland’s adjusted net income and 30 percent of Con Edison of New York’s adjusted net income for the president and chief executive officer of Orange & Rockland. “Adjusted net income” excludes the net mark-to-market effects of the Company’s competitive energy businesses and any extraordinary non-recurring items identified by the Company after the performance target had been determined. No non-recurring items were excluded from adjusted net income with respect to the 2011 annual incentive awards.

 

2011 target adjusted net income and actual adjusted net income were:

 

     Target      Actual      Performance
Relative
to Targets
 
     (in millions)         

Adjusted Company net income

   $ 1,037.6       $ 1,064.1         102.6

Adjusted Con Edison of New York net income

   $ 962.3       $ 978.1         101.6

Adjusted Orange & Rockland net income

   $ 46.5       $ 53.2         114.4

Adjusted Regulated net income

   $ 1,008.8       $ 1,031.3         102.2

 

If actual adjusted net income for 2011 had been less than or equal to 90 percent of the target adjusted net income, no annual incentive awards would have been made.

 

The weightings earned for the 50 percent “adjusted net income” component were determined based upon the following scale:

 

Performance Relative

to Targets

 

Weighting Earned

³ 110%

  100%

107.5%

  87.5%

105%

  75.0%

102.5%

  62.5%

(Target) 100%

  50.0%

97.5%

  37.5%

95%

  25.0%

< 92.5%

  12.5%

£ 90%

  0%

 

The “other financial performance” component, reflecting the responsibilities of the Named Executive Officer and accounting for 20 percent of each Named Executive Officer’s potential annual incentive award, as

 

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shown on the “Achievement of 2011 Financial and Operating Objectives” table on page 37, was comprised of one or more of the Con Edison of New York and Orange & Rockland budgets, or objectives for the competitive energy businesses relating to operations and maintenance expense, capital expenditures, dividend payout and value at risk exposure. Effective January 1, 2011, the Committee changed Con Edison of New York’s “other financial performance” component from 20 percent operating budget performance to 10 percent capital budget performance and 10 percent operating budget performance, subject to a 25 percent upward or downward adjustment based on certain performance criteria.

 

2011 target budgets and actual expenditures were:

 

     Target      Actual      Weightings     Performance
Relative
to Targets
 
     (in millions)               

Con Edison of New York

          

Operating Budget

   $ 1,316.5       $ 1,265.5         10     96.1

Capital Budget

   $ 1,799.0       $ 1,737.0         10     96.6

Orange & Rockland

          

Operating Budget

   $ 204.4       $ 192.7         20     94.3

 

Weightings earned for the “other financial performance” component are based on the Company’s business for which each Named Executive Officer is responsible. For the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and the general counsel “other financial performance” weighting earned is allocated 10 percent for Con Edison of New York’s capital budget, eight percent for Con Edison of New York’s operating budget, one percent for Orange & Rockland’s operating budget, and one percent for the competitive energy businesses’ objectives. For the president of Con Edison of New York, “other financial performance” weighting earned is 10 percent for each of Con Edison of New York’s operating budget and capital budget. For the president and chief executive officer of Orange & Rockland, “other financial performance” weighting earned is 20 percent for Orange & Rockland’s operating budget.

 

The weightings earned for Con Edison of New York’s and Orange & Rockland’s “other financial performance” component were determined based upon the following scales:

 

Con Edison of New York

Performance Relative to

Operating Budget Target

 

Weighting Earned for
the Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer, the Chief
Financial Officer, and the
General Counsel

 

Weighting Earned for
the President of
Con Edison of New York

£93.75%

  16.0%   20%

95.00%

  14.4%   18%

96.25%

  12.8%   16%

97.50%

  11.2%   14%

98.75%

    9.6%   12%

(Target) 100%

    8.0%   10%

101.25%

    6.4%     8%

102.50%

    4.8%     6%

103.75%

    3.2%     4%

105.00%

    1.6%     2%

³106.25%

     0%     0%

 

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Con Edison of New York

Performance Relative to

Capital Budget Target

 

Weighting Earned for
the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer,

the Chief Financial Officer, the President of
Con Edison of New York, and the
General Counsel

£95.00%

  20%

96.00%

  18%

97.00%

  16%

98.00%

  14%

99.00%

  12%

(Target) 100%

  10%

101.00%

    8%

102.00%

    6%

103.00%

    4%

104.00%

    2%

³105.00%

     0%

 

Orange & Rockland

Performance Relative to

Operating Budget Target

 

Weighting Earned for
the Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer, the Chief Financial
Officer, and the General Counsel

 

Weighting Earned
for the President and Chief Executive
Officer of Orange & Rockland

£ 93.75%

  2.0%   40%

95.00%

  1.8%   36%

96.25%

  1.6%   32%

97.50%

  1.4%   28%

98.75%

  1.2%   24%

(Target) 100%

  1.0%   20%

101.25%

  0.8%   16%

102.50%

  0.6%   12%

103.75%

  0.4%     8%

105.00%

  0.2%     4%

³106.25%

     0%      0%

 

(iv) Operating Objectives

 

The operating objectives, reflecting the responsibilities of the Named Executive Officers and accounting for 30 percent of each Named Executive Officer’s potential annual incentive award, were designed to encourage sustained or improved performance regarding specific matters that are important to day-to-day operations of the Company’s businesses. There were numerous objectives for:

 

   

Employee safety;

 

   

Electric, gas and steam system performance;

 

   

Customer service;

 

   

Environmental performance; and

 

   

Employee development.

 

For the competitive energy businesses, there were other objectives including gross margins, retail sales and collections, and financial, regulatory controls, and business development goals.

 

The operating objectives chosen represent a number of key safety and performance indicators that guide the Company to serve its customers in a safe, effective, and efficient manner. These measures are recognized across the Company’s compensation peer group and industry.

 

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(v) Achievement of 2011 Financial and Operating Objectives

 

The following table shows, for each Named Executive Officer, the target weightings assigned to the financial and operating objectives and the weightings earned based on achievement of those objectives. The weightings of the Company’s subsidiaries for the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the president of Con Edison of New York, the president and chief executive officer of Orange & Rockland, and the general counsel were based on each subsidiary’s relative contribution to the Company’s net income.

 

Objectives

  Chief
Executive Officer
    Chief Financial
Officer
    President of
Con Edison of
New York
    President
and
Chief Executive
Officer of
Orange &
Rockland
    General Counsel  
  Target     Earned     Target     Earned     Target     Earned     Target     Earned     Target     Earned  

Net Income

                   

Adjusted net income

      50       62.8       50       62.8       50       61.2       50       87.5       50       62.8

Other Financial

                   

Con Edison of New York(1) Operating Budget

        8       14.9         8       14.9       10       18.6     —         —         8       14.9

Capital Budget

      10       19.8       10       19.8       10       19.8     —         —         10       19.8

Orange & Rockland Operating Budget

        1         1.9         1         1.9     —         —           20       38.3         1         1.9

Competitive Energy Businesses

        1         2.0         1     2.0     —         —         —         —             1         2.0

Operating

                   

Con Edison of New York

      28       49.0       28     49.0     30     52.5     —         —           28       49.0

Orange & Rockland

        1         1.5         1     1.5     —         —           30         45.0         1         1.5

Competitive Energy Businesses

        1         0.8         1     0.8     —         —         —         —             1         0.8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    100     152.7     100     152.7     100     152.1     100     170.8     100     152.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Footnote:

(1)   The weighting earned was adjusted based on the achievement of certain performance criteria. (See “other financial performance” on pages 34 to 35.)

 

(vi) 2011 Annual Incentive Awards

 

In February 2012, the Committee evaluated and determined whether the applicable financial and operating objectives were satisfied. In assessing performance against the objectives, the Committee considered actual results achieved against the specific targets associated with each objective.

 

Principal Position

   Base Salary     ×   Target
Percentage
    ×   Weighting
Earned
    =   2011 Award  

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

   $ 1,181,500          100       152.7     $ 1,804,200   

Chief Financial Officer

   $ 621,900          50       152.7     $ 474,800   

President, Con Edison of New York

   $ 621,200          80       152.1     $ 755,900   

President and Chief Executive Officer, Orange & Rockland

   $ 433,000          80       170.8     $ 591,700   

General Counsel

   $ 524,200          50       152.7     $ 400,200   

 

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D. Long-Term Incentive Compensation

 

(i) Awards

 

Officers are eligible to receive equity-based awards under the Company’s long term incentive plan. The Committee determines the target long-term incentive award value for each Named Executive Officer based on various factors, including:

 

   

Recommendations from the chief executive officer for the other Named Executive Officers;

 

   

A general assessment of each Named Executive Officer’s performance of his or her responsibilities; and

 

   

Level of long-term incentive compensation compared to executives holding functionally comparable positions in the Company’s compensation peer group.

 

(ii) Performance Restricted Stock Unit Awards

 

It is the Committee’s practice in the first quarter of each year to approve its annual awards of performance restricted stock units under the long term incentive plan for the Company’s officers and to authorize the chief executive officer to make annual awards under the plan to the Company’s employees (other than officers).

 

The stock units awarded to officers provide for the right to receive one share of Company Common Stock and/or a cash payment equal to the fair market value of one share of Company Common Stock for each stock unit granted, subject to the satisfaction of certain pre-established long-term performance objectives. Officers may elect to defer the receipt of the cash value of the award into the Company’s supplemental plan and/or to defer the receipt of the shares. Dividends are not paid and do not accrue on the stock unit awards during the vesting period.

 

(iii) 2011 Performance Restricted Stock Units Awards

 

The number of stock units awarded in 2011 to the Named Executive Officers is shown in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 45. Payouts to officers of the stock units, if any, are calculated by a non-discretionary formula as follows:

 

Award X 50% X Incentive Plan Percentage

 

plus

 

Award X 50% X Shareholder Return Percentage

 

Award” is the annual award of performance restricted stock units under the long term incentive plan. The target award of performance restricted stock units is a percentage of base salary that varies based on position. The chief executive officer’s target award is 375 percent; the target award for the president of Con Edison of New York, the president and chief executive officer of Orange & Rockland, and for the chief financial officer is 200 percent; and the target award for the general counsel is 100 percent.

 

Incentive Plan Percentage” is the average calculated payout under the Company’s annual incentive plan over the performance period beginning on January 1, 2011 and ending on December 31, 2013 (for awards granted in 2011). See “Annual Incentive Compensation” starting on page 33.

 

“Shareholder Return Percentage” is the weighting earned based on the cumulative change in Company total shareholder returns over the performance period beginning on January 1, 2011 and ending on December 31, 2013 (for awards granted in 2011) compared with the Company’s compensation peer group as constituted on the date of grant. In the event that the companies that make up the peer group change during the

 

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performance period, the Committee will use the compensation peer group as constituted on the date of grant. If a company ceases to be publicly traded before the end of the performance period, that company’s total shareholder returns will not be used to calculate awards.

 

The levels of awards of performance restricted stock units that will be earned are as follows:

 

Ratio of Company’s Shareholder Returns vs.

Compensation Peer Group

 

Weighting Earned

75th or greater

  150%

70th

  140%

65th

  130%

60th

  120%

55th

  110%

50th

  100%

45th

  85%

40th

  70%

35th

  55%

30th

  40%

25th

  25%

Below 25th

  0%

 

The actual payout of the stock unit awards to the officers may vary from zero up to a maximum of 175 percent of such award, based on actual performance over the performance period. The maximum payout of the stock unit awards represents the weighted average of: (i) the maximum payout of the stock unit awards that vest based on payouts from the annual incentive plan (200 percent), plus (ii) the maximum payout of the stock unit awards that vest based on the cumulative change in total shareholder returns (150 percent). The Committee has discretion to adjust (upward or downward) the actual stock unit awards to be paid to an officer.

 

The Committee believes that total shareholder return is the performance measure that most closely helps the Company to achieve its overall compensation philosophy by aligning executive rewards with the creation of stockholder value, as articulated in the Company’s compensation philosophy. Total shareholder return is balanced with the annual operating and financial objectives of the annual incentive plan to further align executives’ rewards with other key Company performance objectives which total shareholder return does not fully capture.

 

The Committee may adopt different performance measures for the stock unit grants, from time to time, as it deems appropriate at the time of grant.

 

(iv) Calculation of Payout of 2009 Performance Restricted Stock Units Awards

 

Following the end of the relevant performance period for each outstanding stock unit award, the Company’s achievement of the performance measures is reviewed by the Committee. The Committee evaluates and approves the Company’s performance relative to the performance measures and pays out the stock units in either cash and/or shares of Company Common Stock (as elected by the officer) based on the attainment of such performance measures.

 

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The following table shows, for each Named Executive Officer (other than the president of Con Edison of New York and the general counsel who each were hired in 2009), the calculation of the payout with respect to the stock units for the 2009 – 2011 performance period:

 

Principal Position

   Award × 50%     ×   Incentive
Plan
Percentage(1)
    +   Award × 50%     ×   Shareholder
Return
Percentage
    =   2009-2011
Payout
Total
 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

     53,000          145.1       53,000          150       156,403   

Chief Financial Officer

     14,500          145.1       14,500          150       42,790   

President and Chief Executive Officer, Orange & Rockland

     4,450          136.4       4,450          150       12,745   

 

Footnote:

(1)   The calculated Incentive Plan Percentage for each year in the 2009–2011 performance period was as follows:

 

     2009      2010      2011  

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer; Chief Financial Officer

     109.3      173.2      152.7

President and Chief Executive Officer, Orange & Rockland

     88.5      150.0      170.8

 

V.   Retirement and Other Benefits

 

A. Retirement and Welfare Benefits

 

The Company provides employees with a range of retirement and welfare benefits that reflects the competitive practices of the industry. These benefits assist the Company in attracting, retaining and motivating employees critical to its long-term success. Officers are eligible for benefits under the following Company plans:

 

   

Tax-qualified retirement plan and its related non-qualified supplemental plan;

 

   

Tax-qualified savings plan and its related non-qualified supplemental plan;

 

   

Stock purchase plan; and

 

   

Health and welfare plans.

 

(i) Retirement Plans

 

A tax-qualified retirement plan covers substantially all the Company’s employees. All employees whose benefits under the plan are limited by the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to participate in a supplemental retirement income plan. The plans are described in the narrative to the Pension Benefits Table on pages 48 to 49.

 

The estimated retirement benefits payable to the Named Executive Officers (determined on a present value basis) are set forth in the Pension Benefits table.

 

(ii) Savings Plans

 

A tax-qualified savings plan covers substantially all of the Company’s employees. All employees whose benefits under the plan are limited by the Internal Revenue Code, are eligible to participate in a supplemental plan. Officers may defer a portion of their salary into the supplemental plan. The plans are described in the narrative to the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table on page 50.

 

Company matching contributions allocated to the Named Executive Officers under the savings plan and supplemental plan are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 44.

 

(iii) Stock Purchase Plan

 

The stock purchase plan covers substantially all of the Company’s employees and provides the opportunity to purchase shares of Company Common Stock. The plan is described in Note M to the financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

 

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(iv) Health and Welfare Plans

 

Active employee benefits, such as medical, dental, life insurance and disability coverage, are available to all employees through the Company’s health and welfare benefits plans. Employees contribute towards the cost of the plans by paying a portion of the premium costs on a pre-tax basis. Under the plans, employees can purchase a higher level of coverage than that provided to employees generally. The Company also provides all employees with paid time-off benefits, such as vacation and sick leave.

 

Officers are eligible to participate in a supplemental medical plan. The plan supplements medical and hospital benefits provided to officers under the Company’s medical program. Officers contribute towards a portion of the cost of the supplemental plan on an after-tax basis. The supplemental plan provides officers with the option to continue their participation following retirement. The amount that the Company contributes for each Named Executive Officer is included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 44.

 

B. Perquisites and Personal Benefits

 

Pursuant to the compensation program, the Company provides certain officers, including the Named Executive Officers, with limited, specific perquisites that are competitive with industry practices. The Committee reviews the level of perquisites and personal benefits annually. The Company provides the following perquisites, the costs of which, if used by an Executive Officer in 2011 are set forth in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 44:

 

   

Supplemental health insurance and life insurance;

 

   

Reimbursement for reasonable costs of financial and tax planning; and

 

   

A company vehicle and, in the case of the chief executive officer, a company vehicle and driver.

 

C. Severance and Change of Control Benefits

 

The Company provides for the payment of severance benefits upon certain types of employment terminations. Providing severance and change of control benefits assists the Company in attracting and retaining executive talent and reduces the personal uncertainty that executives are likely to feel when considering a corporate transaction. These arrangements also provide valuable retention incentives that focus executives on completing such transactions, thus, enhancing long-term shareholder value. The compensation under the various circumstances that trigger payments or provision of benefits upon termination or a change of control was chosen to be broadly consistent with prevailing competitive practices.

 

Officers of the Company (other than the chief executive officer) are provided benefits under the officers’ severance program. The severance benefits payable to the chief executive officer are set forth in his employment agreement, which is described in the narrative to the Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change of Control table beginning on page 52. The severance benefits payable to each of the Named Executive Officers (other than the chief executive officer) are set forth in the severance program which is described in footnote 2 to the Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change of Control table on page 55. The estimated severance benefits that each Named Executive Officer would be entitled to receive are set forth in the applicable Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change of Control table beginning on page 52.

 

As set forth in greater detail in the narrative to the Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change of Control table, the Company’s change of control provisions provide that payments may be made only in the event that the Named Executive Officer’s employment is terminated under certain circumstances in connection with a change of control. Upon a change in control, the vesting of long term incentive plan grants will accelerate, whether or not the Named Executive Officer’s employment with the Company continues. This practice eliminates the Named Executive Officer’s incentive to terminate employment in the event of a change in control. The Committee believes that such vesting is broadly consistent with prevailing competitive practices.

 

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VI.   Stock Ownership Guidelines

 

The Company has established the following stock ownership guidelines for the Company’s officers:

 

Chief Executive Officer

  

3 × base salary

Chief Financial Officer

  

2 × base salary

President of Con Edison of New York

  

2 × base salary

President and Chief Executive Officer of Orange & Rockland

  

2 × base salary

Presidents of Consolidated Edison Development, Inc., Consolidated Edison Energy, Inc. and Consolidated Edison Solutions, Inc.

  

1 × base salary

Senior Vice Presidents of Con Edison of New York

  

1 × base salary

 

The officers covered by the guidelines are expected to retain for at least one year a minimum of 25 percent of the net shares acquired upon exercise of stock options and 25 percent of the net shares acquired pursuant to vested restricted stock and restricted stock unit grants until their holdings of common stock equal or exceed their applicable ownership guidelines.

 

For these purposes, officers subject to the guidelines have five years from January 1st after their appointment to covered titles to meet the guidelines. In February 2012, it was determined that as of December 31, 2011, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the president of Con Edison of New York, and the president and chief executive officer of Orange & Rockland have either met their ownership milestones or are making reasonable progress towards their milestones.

 

For purposes of the guidelines:

 

   

“Stock ownership” includes value of the officers’ individually-owned shares, vested restricted stock and restricted stock units, and shares held under the Company’s benefit plans.

 

   

The one-year period is measured from the date the stock options are exercised or the restricted stock or restricted stock units vest, as applicable.

 

   

“Net shares” means the shares remaining after sale of shares necessary to pay the related tax liability and, if applicable, exercise price.

 

VII.   Recoupment Policy

 

In 2010, the Company adopted a Recoupment Policy. The Recoupment Policy provides for the recoupment of excess incentive-based compensation received by any current or former officer during the three-year period preceding the date on which the Company’s Audit Committee determines that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws. The Recoupment Policy applies to the long-term incentive-based compensation awards paid on or after January 1, 2011, under the Company’s long term incentive plan, and the incentive-based compensation payments made under the Company’s annual incentive plan based on any performance period commencing on or after January 1, 2011.

 

VIII.   Tax Deductibility of Pay

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code places a limit of $1,000,000 on the amount of compensation that the Company may deduct in any one year with respect to each of the Named Executive Officers, other than the chief financial officer, employed by the Company on the last day of the fiscal year. There is an exception to the $1,000,000 limitation for performance-based compensation meeting certain requirements. While the Committee considers the tax impact of Section 162(m), the Committee has determined that it is appropriate to maintain flexibility in compensating Named Executive Officers in a manner intended to promote varying corporate goals, recognizing that certain amounts paid to Named Executive Officers in excess of $1,000,000 may

 

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not be deductible under Section 162(m). For 2011, $4,664,000 of the compensation paid to the chief executive officer, $73,000 of the compensation paid to the president of Con Edison of New York, and $59,000 of the compensation paid to the president and chief executive officer of Orange & Rockland, was not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

 

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES AS THEY RELATE TO THE COMPANY’S RISK MANAGEMENT

 

In 2011, the Management Development and Compensation Committee asked Mercer to undertake a risk assessment of the Company’s compensation programs to determine whether the Company’s compensation policies and practices for employees, generally, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s risk management and create incentives that could lead to excessive or inappropriate risk taking by employees. The Committee also asked management to review the assessment. Based on Mercer’s risk assessment findings, with which the Committee and management concur, the Company’s compensation programs are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s risk management or create incentives that could lead to excessive or inappropriate risk taking by employees. The Company’s compensation programs include a Recoupment Policy applicable to all Company officers with respect to incentive-based compensation for periods commencing on or after January 1, 2011.

 

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

The following table sets forth the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the other three most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2011. The positions shown in the table are the officers’ positions with the Company or with the Company’s principal subsidiaries, Con Edison of New York or Orange & Rockland as of December 31, 2011.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name & Principal Position

  Year     Salary
($)
    Bonus(1)
($)
    Stock
Awards(2)
($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(1)
($)
    Change in
Pension Value
and Non-
Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(3)
($)
    All Other
Compensation(4)
($)
    Total(5)
($)
 

Kevin Burke

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

   

 
 

2011

2010
2009

  

  
  

  $

$

$

1,177,633

1,118,550

1,107,200

  

  

  

   

 

 

—  

—  

—  

  

  

  

  $

$

$

4,337,333

4,063,356

3,691,980

  

  

  

  $

$

$

1,804,200

1,805,600

1,179,100

  

  

  

  $

$

$

3,498,783

3,189,329

1,882,192

  

  

  

  $

$

$

147,098

99,559

38,829

  

  

  

  $

$

$

10,965,047

10,276,394

7,899,301

  

  

  

Robert Hoglund

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

   
 
 
2011
2010
2009
  
  
  
  $

$

$

619,867

589,450

584,200

  

  

  

   

 

 

—  

—  

—  

  

  

  

  $

$

$

1,213,240

1,151,880

1,010,070

  

  

  

  $

$

$

474,800

475,300

311,100

  

  

  

  $

$

$

212,488

102,449

58,421

  

  

  

  $

$

$

61,129

43,706

37,073

  

  

  

  $

$

$

2,581,524

2,362,785

2,000,864

  

  

  

Craig Ivey

    2011      $ 611,000        —        $ 1,083,250      $ 755,900      $ 153,233      $ 48,857      $ 2,652,240   

President, Con Edison of New York

    2010      $ 555,000        —        $ 1,104,216      $ 700,000      $ 75,543      $ 34,399      $ 2,469,158   

William Longhi

President and Chief Executive Officer, Orange & Rockland

   

 
 

2011

2010
2009

  

  
  

  $

$

$

431,583

419,000

409,000

  

  

  

   

$

 

—  

40,600

—  

  

  

  

  $

$

$

909,930

873,840

309,987

  

  

  

  $

$

$

591,700

509,400

292,800

  

  

  

  $

$

$

1,109,618

475,729

697,252

  

  

  

  $

$

$

65,461

46,908

46,275

  

  

  

  $

$

$

3,108,292

2,365,477

1,755,314

  

  

  

Elizabeth D. Moore

General Counsel

   
 
2011
2010
  
  
  $

$

521,833

505,000

  

  

   

 

—  

—  

  

  

  $

$

511,294

440,892

  

  

  $

$

400,200

397,500

  

  

  $

$

133,689

26,826

  

  

  $

$

53,835

40,657

  

  

  $

$

1,620,851

1,410,875

  

  

 

Footnotes:

(1)   The amounts paid were awarded under the annual incentive plan.
(2)   Dividends are not paid and do not accrue on stock awards during the vesting period. Amounts shown do not reflect the payment or accrual of dividends during the vesting period for any portion of the stock awards and otherwise reflect the assumptions used for the Company’s financial statements. See Note M to the financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Actual value to be realized, if any, on stock awards by the Named Executive Officers will depend on the performance of Company Common Stock and the Named Executive Officer’s continued service. The terms applicable to the stock awards granted for fiscal year 2011 are set forth on the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 45. Based on the fair value at grant date, the following are the maximum potential values of the performance restricted stock units for the 2011-2013 performance period granted under the long term incentive plan assuming maximum level of performance is achieved: Mr. Burke $7,591,416; Mr. Hoglund $2,123,170; Mr. Ivey $1,897,854; Mr. Longhi $1,594,544; and Ms. Moore $896,931.
(3)   Amounts do not represent actual compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers. Instead the amounts represent the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the accumulated pension benefit based on the difference between the amounts required to be disclosed under the Pension Benefits Table for the year indicated and the amounts reported or that would have been reported under the Pension Benefits Table for the previous year. For information about the assumptions used, see the Pension Benefits Table on page 49 of the Proxy Statement. There are no above-market or preferential earnings with respect to the non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements.
(4)   Value of the items shown below are based on the aggregate incremental cost, which except for the Company provided vehicle and the supplemental health insurance is the actual cost to the Company.
     Mr. Burke received the following amounts for 2011: $7,153, representing personal use of company provided vehicle; $4,757, in driver costs; $95,613 in life insurance; $4,246, in supplemental health insurance; and company matching contributions to the Savings Plan of $7,350, and supplemental plan of $27,979.
     Mr. Hoglund received the following amounts for 2011: $1,091, representing personal use of company provided vehicle; $10,000, in financial planning; $25,527, in life insurance; $5,915, in supplemental health insurance; and company matching contributions to the Savings Plan of $7,350, and supplemental plan of $11,246.

 

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     Mr. Ivey received the following amounts for 2011: $179, representing personal use of company provided vehicle; $10,000, in financial planning; $14,432, in life insurance; $5,915, in supplemental health insurance; and company matching contributions to the Savings Plan of $7,350, and supplemental plan of $10,981.
     Mr. Longhi received the following amounts for 2011: $3,608, representing personal use of company provided vehicle; $10,000, in financial planning; $32,990, in life insurance; $5,915, in supplemental health insurance; and company matching contributions to the Savings Plan of $7,350, and supplemental plan of $5,598.
     Ms. Moore received the following amounts for 2011: $1,251 representing personal use of company provided vehicle; $10,000 in financial planning; $22,683 in life insurance; $4,246 in supplemental health insurance; and company matching contributions to the Savings Plan of $7,350 and supplemental savings plan of $8,305.
(5)   Represents, for each Named Executive Officer, the total of amounts shown for the Named Executive Officer in all other columns of the table.

 

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the grant of equity plan awards and non-equity incentive plan awards awarded to the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

Name & Principal Position

  Grant
Date
    Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(1)
    Estimated Future Payouts
Under
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(2)
    Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock
Awards(3)
($)
 
    Threshold
($)
    Target
($)
    Maximum
($)
    Threshold
(#)
    Target
(#)
    Maximum
(#)
   

Kevin Burke

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

    2/1/2011      $ 147,700      $ 1,181,500      $ 2,363,000        25,000        100,100        175,200      $ 4,337,333   

Robert Hoglund

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    2/1/2011      $ 38,900      $ 311,000      $ 622,000        7,000        28,000        49,000      $ 1,213,240   

Craig Ivey

President, Con Edison of New York

    2/1/2011      $ 62,100      $ 497,000      $ 994,000        6,300        25,000        43,800      $ 1,083,250   

William Longhi

President and Chief Executive Officer, Orange & Rockland

    2/1/2011      $ 43,300      $ 346,400      $ 692,800        5,300        21,000        36,800      $ 909,930   

Elizabeth D. Moore

General Counsel

    2/1/2011      $ 32,800      $ 262,100      $ 524,200        3,000        11,800        20,700      $ 511,294   

 

Footnotes:

(1)   Represents annual cash incentive award opportunity awarded under the Company’s annual incentive plan. See “Annual Incentive Compensation” starting on page 33.
(2)   Represents awards of performance restricted stock units for the 2011-2013 performance period granted under the Company’s long term incentive plan. See “Long-Term Incentive Compensation” starting on page 38. Based on the fair value at grant date, the following are the maximum potential values of the performance restricted stock units for the 2011-2013 performance period granted under the long term incentive plan assuming maximum level of performance is achieved: Mr. Burke $7,591,416; Mr. Hoglund $2,123,170; Mr. Ivey $1,897,854; Mr. Longhi $1,594,544; and Ms. Moore $896,931.
(3)   This column reflects the grant date fair value of the performance restricted stock unit awards for the 2011-2013 performance period. See footnote 2 to the Summary Compensation Table on page 44.

 

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS TABLE

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to all unvested stock awards previously awarded to the Named Executive Officers as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. None of the Named Executive Officers have unexercised option awards.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

    STOCK AWARDS(1)  

Name & Principal Position

  Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of unearned
shares, units or other
rights held that have

not vested
(#)
    Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or Payout Value
of unearned shares, units
or other rights that have
not vested

($)
 

Kevin Burke

    102,300 (2)    $ 6,345,669   

    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

    100,100 (3)    $ 6,209,203   
   

Robert Hoglund

    29,000 (2)    $ 1,798,870   

    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    28,000 (3)    $ 1,736,840   
   

Craig Ivey

    27,800 (2)    $ 1,724,434   

    President, Con Edison of New York

    25,000 (3)    $ 1,550,750   
   

William Longhi.

    22,000 (2)    $ 1,364,660   

    President and Chief Executive Officer, Orange & Rockland

    21,000 (3)    $ 1,302,630   
   

Elizabeth D. Moore

    11,100 (2)    $ 688,533   

    General Counsel

    11,800 (3)     $ 731,954   

 

Footnotes:

(1)   Value of unvested performance restricted stock units using the closing price of $62.03 for a share of Company Common Stock on December 31, 2011.
(2)   The number of performance restricted stock units and payment amount of the performance restricted stock units will be determined as of December 31, 2012 based on satisfaction of target performance measures for the 2010-2012 performance cycle.
(3)   The number of performance restricted stock units and payment amount of the performance restricted stock units will be determined as of December 31, 2013 based on satisfaction of target performance measures for the 2011-2013 performance cycle.

 

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Table of Contents

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to all options exercised and stock awards vested in 2011 for the Named Executive Officers.

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

     OPTION AWARDS      STOCK AWARDS  

Name & Principal Position

   Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
(#)
     Value Realized
on Exercise(1)
($)
     Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)
    Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
 

Kevin Burke

    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

    

 

159,000

180,000

 

 

   $

$

2,144,620

2,103,444

 

 

    
156,403
(2) 
  $
9,066,682
(2) 

Robert Hoglund

    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

     50,000      $ 688,645       
42,790
(2) 
  $
2,480,536
(2) 

Craig Ivey(3)

    President, Con Edison of New York

     —           —           —          —     

William Longhi

    President and Chief Executive Officer, Orange & Rockland

    

 

 

8,000

8,000

10,000

 

  

  

   $

$

$

124,151

123,040

126,860

 

 

 

    
12,745
(2) 
  $
738,828
(2) 

Elizabeth D. Moore(3)

     —           —           —          —     

    General Counsel

          

 

Footnotes:

(1)   The value realized on exercise was determined by calculating the difference between the average of the actual sales price of Company Common Stock underlying the options exercised and the exercise price of the respective option.
(2)   Represents the vesting of each Named Executive Officer’s performance restricted stock unit award for the 2009-2011 performance period, valued at $57.97, the closing price of Company Common Stock on the vesting date. Actual value realized by each Named Executive Officer will depend on each individual’s payout election under the Company’s long term incentive plan.
(3)   Mr. Ivey, who became an officer in September 2009, and Ms. Moore, who became an officer in May 2009, did not have any stock awards that vested in 2011, and have not received any stock option awards.

 

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Table of Contents

PENSION BENEFITS

 

Retirement Plan Benefits

 

The retirement plan, a tax qualified retirement plan, covers substantially all of the Company’s employees. The supplemental retirement income plan provides certain highly compensated employees (including the Named Executive Officers) whose benefits are limited by the Internal Revenue Code with that portion of their retirement benefit that represents the difference between (i) the amount they would have received under the retirement plan absent IRS limitations on the amount of final average salary that may be considered in calculating pension benefits and the amount of pension benefits paid and (ii) the amount actually paid from the retirement plan. All amounts under the supplemental retirement income plan are paid out of the Company’s general assets.

 

For management employees hired before January 1, 2001, including Messrs. Burke and Longhi, the retirement plan and the supplemental retirement income plan (the “Plans”) provide pension benefits based on: (i) the participant’s highest average salary for 48 consecutive months within the 120 consecutive months prior to retirement (“final average salary”); (ii) the portion of final average salary in excess of the Social Security taxable wage base in the year of retirement; and (iii) the participant’s length of service. For purposes of the Plans, a participant’s salary for a year is deemed to include any award under the Company’s annual incentive plans for that year. Participants in the Plans whose age and years of service equal 75 are entitled to an annual pension benefit for life, payable in monthly installments. Participants may earn increased pension benefits by working additional years. Benefits payable to a participant who retires between ages 55 and 59 with less than 30 years of service are subject to a reduction of 1.5 percent for each full year of retirement before age 60. Early retirement reduction factors are not applied to pensions of employees electing retirement at age 55 or older with at least 30 years of service. Effective January 1, 2009, management employees covered under the final average salary formula who are at least age 55 and have 30 or more years of service or will turn age 55 with 30 or more years of service during the period from January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012 qualify for an additional pension accrual for a limited period of time. The additional pension accrual will be credited from the time an employee becomes eligible through June 30, 2012 at a rate equal to one-twelfth of 0.5 percent of the final average salary for each month of service. The additional pension accrual period ends on June 30, 2012. The Plans provide an annual adjustment equal to the lesser of three percent or 3/4 of the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index to offset partially the effects of inflation.

 

For management employees hired on or after January 1, 2001, including Messrs. Hoglund and Ivey and Ms. Moore, the Plans provide pension benefits based on a cash balance formula under which benefits accrue at the end of each calendar quarter. The crediting percent, which can range from four to seven percent, depending on the participant’s age and years of service, is applied to the participant’s base salary and annual incentive award (“Earnings”) during the quarter. In addition, a participant whose Earnings exceed the Social Security Wage Base ($106,800 for 2011) will receive a four percent credit on the amount of his or her Earnings that exceed the Social Security Wage Base. The cash balance account of participants is credited with interest quarterly at a rate equal to one-quarter of the annual interest rate payable on the 30-year U.S. Treasury bond, subject to a minimum annual rate of three percent and a maximum annual rate of nine percent. The following table shows how this works:

 

Age Plus Years of Service

   Rate on
Earnings
    Plus    Rate on
Earnings Above
Social Security
Wage Base
 

Under 35

     4.00        4.00

35–49

     5.00        4.00

50–64

     6.00        4.00

Over 64

     7.00        4.00

 

Mr. Hoglund currently has eight years of credited service under the Plans. The Company has agreed to provide Mr. Hoglund credit for an additional ten years of service in the cash balance formula. Five of the additional ten years of service will be credited after he completes ten years of continuous employment and the

 

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Table of Contents

remaining five years will be credited after he completes fifteen years of continuous service. The portion of Mr. Hoglund’s retirement benefit that is attributable to the additional years of service provided by the Company will be paid under the supplemental retirement income plan. Benefit distributions are made in the form of a lump sum payment, but participants may elect instead to receive an immediate or deferred lifetime annuity.

 

Pension Benefits Table

 

The following table shows certain pension benefits information for each Named Executive Officer as of December 31, 2011.

 

Pension Benefits

 

Name & Principal Position

   Plan Name    Number of
Years Credited
Service
(#)
     Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit(1)
($)
     Payments during
Last Fiscal Year
($)
 

Kevin Burke

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

   Retirement Plan

Supplemental Retirement
Income Plan

    

 

39

39

  

  

   $

$

1,706,848

16,723,658

  

  

   $

$

0

0

  

  

Robert Hoglund

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

   Retirement Plan

Supplemental Retirement
Income Plan

    

 

8

8

  

  

   $

$

159,448

496,527

  

  

   $

$

0

0

  

  

Craig Ivey

President, Con Edison of New York

   Retirement Plan

Supplemental Retirement
Income Plan

    

 

2

2

  

  

   $

$

44,484

186,309

  

  

   $

$

0

0

  

  

William Longhi

President and Chief Executive Officer, Orange & Rockland

   Retirement Plan

Supplemental Retirement
Income Plan

    

 

36

36

  

  

   $

$

1,404,760

2,966,694

  

  

   $

$

0

0

  

  

Elizabeth D. Moore

General Counsel

   Retirement Plan

Supplemental Retirement
Income Plan

    

 

2

2

  

  

   $

$

56,988

141,828

  

  

   $

$

0

0

  

  

 

Footnotes:

(1)   Amounts were calculated as of December 31, 2011, using the assumptions that were used for the Company’s financial statements. See Note E to the financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for material assumptions.

 

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Table of Contents

NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

 

Company Savings Plan

 

The savings plan, a tax-qualified retirement plan, covers substantially all of the Company’s employees. Participating employees may contribute up to 50 percent of their compensation on a before-tax basis and/or an after-tax basis, into their savings plan accounts. In addition, the Company matches an amount equal to 50 percent for each dollar contributed by participating employees on the first six percent of their regular earnings.

 

Pursuant to IRS rules, effective for 2011, the savings plan limits the “additions” that can be made to a participating employee’s account to $49,000 per year. “Additions” include Company matching contributions, before-tax contributions made by a participating employee under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, and employee after-tax contributions.

 

Of those additions, the current maximum before-tax contribution is $16,500 per year (or $22,000 per year for certain participants age 50 and over). In addition, no more than $245,000 of annual compensation may be taken into account in computing benefits under the savings plan.

 

Supplemental Plan

 

Certain highly compensated employees, including the Named Executive Officers, are eligible to participate in the supplemental plan, a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. The supplemental plan permits participating officers to defer on a before-tax basis: (i) up to 50 percent of their base salary, (ii) all or a portion of their annual incentive award, and (iii) the cash value of any restricted stock unit awards (including any dividend equivalents). In addition, under the supplemental plan the Company will credit participating employees with a Company matching contribution on that portion of their contributions that cannot be matched under the savings plan because of IRS limitations. Earnings on amounts contributed under the supplemental plan reflect investment in accordance with participating employees’ investment elections. There were no above-market or preferential earnings with respect to the supplemental plan. Individuals participating in the plan may elect to have their account balances credited with a return that is benchmarked to numerous investment funds institutionally managed by the Nationwide Insurance Company. Participants may change their investment allocation once per calendar quarter. All amounts distributed from the supplemental plan are paid out of the Company’s general assets.

 

Amounts deferred, if any, under the savings plan and the supplemental plan by the Named Executive Officers are included in the “Salary” and “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” columns of the Summary Compensation Table on page 44 of the Proxy Statement. Company matching contributions allocated to the Named Executive Officers under the savings plan and the supplemental plan are shown in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 44 of the Proxy Statement. Amounts realized upon vesting of stock awards that were deferred into the supplemental plan, if any, are shown on the Value Realized on Vesting column of the Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table on page 47.

 

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Table of Contents

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to nonqualified deferred compensation for each Named Executive Officer as of December 31, 2011.

 

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

 

Name & Principal Position

   Executive
Contributions
in Last FY(1)
($)
     Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY(2)
($)
     Aggregate
Earnings/
(Losses) in
Last FY(3)
($)
    Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
     Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE(4)
($)
 

Kevin Burke

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

   $ 119,092       $ 27,979       $ (70,579   $ 0       $ 3,726,534   

Robert Hoglund

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

   $ 22,492       $ 11,246       $ (6,782   $ 0       $ 239,619   

Craig Ivey

President, Con Edison of New York

   $ 225,677       $ 10,981       $ 169      $ 0       $ 332,452   

William Longhi

President and Chief Executive Officer,

Orange & Rockland

   $ 11,195       $ 5,598       $ (4,680   $ 0       $ 181,108   

Elizabeth D. Moore

General Counsel

   $ 135,860       $ 8,305       $ 1,826      $ 0       $ 336,154   

 

Footnotes:

(1)   Amounts set forth under “Executive Contributions in Last FY” are reported in either: (i) the “Salary” column of the Summary Compensation Table; (ii) the “Value Realized on Vesting” column of the “Stock Awards” section of the Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table; or (iii) the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table of the Company’s proxy statements for its 2011 and 2012 annual meetings of stockholders, as applicable.
(2)   The amounts set forth under the “Registrant Contributions in Last FY” are reported in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 44.
(3)   Represents earnings or losses on accounts for fiscal year 2011. No amounts set forth under “Aggregate Earnings in Last FY” have been reported in the Summary Compensation Table on page 44, as there were no above-market or preferential earnings credited to any Named Executive Officer’s account.
(4)   Aggregate account balances as of December 31, 2011:

Mr. Burke’s aggregate balance is comprised of: executive contributions of $2,789,031; company matching contributions of $200,457; and earnings of $737,046. Mr. Hoglund’s aggregate balance is comprised of: executive contributions of $146,175; company matching contributions of $68,226; and earnings of $25,218; Mr. Ivey’s aggregate balance is comprised of: executive contributions of $304,697; company matching contributions of $19,955; and earnings of $7,800; Mr. Longhi’s aggregate balance is comprised of: executive contributions of $120,504; company matching contributions of $24,213; and earnings of $36,391; and Ms. Moore’s aggregate balance is comprised of: executive contributions of $293,410, company matching contributions of $17,355, and earnings of $25,389.

 

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Table of Contents

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CHANGE OF CONTROL

 

The Company’s Severance Program for Officers of Consolidated Edison, Inc. and its Subsidiaries (the “Severance Program”) provides compensation to its officers in the event of certain terminations of employment or a change of control of the Company. Mr. Burke is provided such benefit pursuant to his employment agreement, dated July 22, 2005, as amended on December 15, 2008. The initial term ended December 31, 2008. The employment agreement as amended automatically extends for additional one-year periods unless either Mr. Burke or the Company provides written notice of non-renewal 180 days prior to the expiration.

 

The amount of compensation that is potentially payable to each Named Executive Officer in each situation is listed in the table below and in the table on page 55. These amounts are estimates only and do not necessarily reflect the actual amounts that would be paid to the Named Executive Officers, which would only be known at the time that they become eligible for payment. The tables reflect the amount that could be payable under the Severance Program (or, in the case of Mr. Burke, his employment agreement) assuming such termination occurred at December 31, 2011, including a gross-up for certain taxes in the case of Mr. Burke in the event that any payments made in connection with a change of control would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Mr. Burke

 

The following table describes the potential payments upon termination of employment or a change of control of the Company for Mr. Burke as of December 31, 2011.

 

Name

 

Executive

Benefits and
Payments Upon
Termination(1)

  Resignation
without
Good
Reason(2)
    Non-Renewal of
employment
agreement(3)
    Retirement     Termination
without
Cause or
Resignation for
Good Reason
(before a CIC)(4)
    Termination
for Cause
    Termination
without Cause or
Resignation for
Good Reason
(following a CIC)(5)
    Death or
Disability(6)
 

Kevin Burke

  Severance   $ 0      $ 3,544,500      $ 0      $ 5,907,500      $ 0      $ 8,270,500      $ 1,181,500   
 

Long-term

incentives(7)

  $ 6,300,180      $ 12,554,872 (8)    $ 12,554,872 (8)    $ 12,554,872      $ 0      $ 12,554,872 (9)    $ 12,554,872 (8) 
 

Benefits and

Perquisites

  $ 113,606      $ 974,971      $ 113,606      $ 1,811,334      $ 113,606      $ 10,743,351      $ 2,476,606   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total

  $ 6,413,786      $ 17,074,343      $ 12,668,478      $ 20,273,706      $ 113,606      $ 31,568,723      $ 16,212,978   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Footnotes:

(1)   Assumes the compensation of Mr. Burke for 2011 is as follows: base salary equal to $1,181,500 and a target annual bonus equal to 100 percent of base salary. Benefits and perquisites include incremental pension amounts, health and life insurance coverage cost, life insurance proceeds, accrued vacation pay, and outplacement costs, as applicable. For purposes of Mr. Burke’s table above, Mr. Burke is defined as the “Executive” in the corresponding footnotes below.
(2)   As per Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, the Executive’s severance benefit pursuant to a resignation without Good Reason is equal to (i) any unpaid base salary and bonus for any completed prior fiscal year and (ii) any accrued vacation pay.
(3)   As per Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, the Executive’s severance benefit pursuant to a non-renewal of the employment agreement is equal to: (i) a lump sum equal to base salary and target annual bonus pro-rated through the termination date and any accrued vacation pay, (ii) a lump sum equal to the net present value of one additional year of service credit under the Company’s pension plans (assuming compensation at the Executive’s then annual rate of base salary and target annual bonus), (iii) a lump sum equal to 1x the sum of base salary and target annual bonus, (iv) one year continuation of health and life insurance coverage and one year of additional service credit toward eligibility for (but not for commencement of) retiree benefits, and (v) one year of outplacement costs.
(4)   As per Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, the Executive’s severance benefit pursuant to a termination without Cause or resignation for Good Reason (before a Change of Control or “CIC”) is equal to: (A) the same severance benefit under a non-renewal of employment agreement, except the amounts in clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) in footnote 3 above are 2x instead of 1x.
(5)   As per Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, the Executive’s severance benefit under a termination without Cause or resignation for Good Reason (on or following a CIC) is equal to the same severance benefit under a termination without Cause or resignation for Good Reason (before a CIC) except the amounts in clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) in footnote 4 above are 3x instead of 2x. Includes reimbursement for all excise taxes that are imposed on the Executive under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code and any income and excise taxes that are payable by the Executive as a result of any reimbursements by the Company for Section 280G excise taxes.
(6)   As per Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, the Executive’s severance benefit due to death or disability is equal to the same severance benefit under a resignation without Good Reason (except for the payment of life insurance proceeds and his pro-rata annual incentive award).
(7)   In calculating the potential payments, the Executive’s date of termination is assumed to be December 31, 2011 and the price per share of Company Common Stock on the date of termination is $62.03 per share.

 

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(8)   For disclosure purposes only, upon a non-renewal of Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, retirement, death or disability the Committee is assumed to have taken action pursuant to the long term incentive plan to fully accelerate the vesting of target performance-based equity awards.
(9)   As per the long term incentive plan, in the event of a Change in Control, target performance-based restricted stock unit awards vest pro-rata through the date of such event. For disclosure purposes, the Committee is assumed to have taken action to fully accelerate target performance-based restricted stock unit awards under the long term incentive plan.

 

Below is a description of the assumptions used in creating the above table.

 

Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Provisions

 

As a condition to Mr. Burke’s receiving the severance benefits referenced in the table above, he is bound by the terms of the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions in his employment agreement for the period of two years from the date of his termination of employment for any reason (other than in connection with a non-renewal of employment in which case the period shall be one year from the date of termination).

 

Equity Acceleration

 

Pursuant to Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, in the event of his termination of employment without Cause by the Company or a resignation by him for Good Reason (in connection with or without a Change of Control), performance-based and non-performance based awards under the long term incentive plan, including stock option awards, fully vest upon the date of termination. In the event of a termination of employment without Good Reason, a non-renewal of Mr. Burke’s employment agreement or a termination due to death or disability, Mr. Burke’s performance-based and non-performance based awards under the long term incentive plan vest pro-rata through the date of termination and stock option awards become fully vested. In addition, in the event of a termination of Mr. Burke’s employment for any reason other than for Cause or a non-renewal of his employment agreement, unexpired stock options remain exercisable until the tenth anniversary of the date of grant. In the event of a termination for Cause, all unvested equity is forfeited on the date of termination.

 

Incremental Pension Amounts

 

As per Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, the amounts relating to the incremental pension amounts in the above table are based on the net present value of two additional years of additional service credit under the Company’s pension plans following a termination without Cause or a resignation for Good Reason (one additional year if such termination is in connection with a non-renewal of the employment agreement and three additional years if such termination is in connection with a Change of Control) assuming compensation at Mr. Burke’s annual salary and target incentive award, age 65 normal retirement, and the assumptions used to calculate lump sum benefits under the qualified retirement plan in December 2011. These assumptions include interest rates of 2.22 percent for the first five years, 4.23 percent for the next 15 years, and 5.28 percent thereafter (adjusted to 0.61 percent, 2.59 percent and 3.62 percent, respectively, to reflect cost of living adjustments) and the RP-2000 mortality table projected for 2011 (50 percent male/50 percent female blend). All amounts payable pursuant to an incremental non-qualified pension are assumed to be paid as a lump sum.

 

Termination without Cause or a Resignation for Good Reason

 

Mr. Burke will receive certain benefits as described in the above table if he is terminated by the Company for reasons other than Cause or by him for Good Reason. Under Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, “Cause” is defined as termination of employment by the Company for any of the following reasons: (i) willful and continued failure by the Executive to substantially perform his duties as a CEO, (ii) a conviction of a felony or entering a plea of nolo contendere to a felony that has a significant adverse effect on the business of the Company, or (iii) a finding by a regulatory or judicial body that the Executive has violated the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or other federal or state securities laws in relation to the Company.

 

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Under Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, “Good Reason” is defined as a resignation by Mr. Burke for any of the following reasons: (i) any adverse change to his title, authority, duties, responsibilities or reporting lines or the assignment of any duties or responsibilities inconsistent in any respect with those customarily associated to the position of CEO, (ii) the appointment, without his consent, of any person other than the executive to the position of CEO or other position or title conferring similar status or authority, (iii) any reduction in salary, target annual bonus, target long-term incentive or retirement benefit, (iv) any requirement by the Company that his services be rendered primarily at an office or location that is more than 50 miles from his office or location as of the date of the employment agreement, (v) any purported termination of his employment for reasons not expressly permitted by his employment agreement, (vi) any failure by a successor of the Company to assume the employment agreement, or (vii) any other material breach of Mr. Burke’s employment agreement by the Company that is not taken in good faith, or if taken in good faith, is not remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice from the Executive.

 

Termination of Employment due to Disability

 

Under Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, Mr. Burke will receive certain benefits as described in the above table if he is terminated by the Company due to a disability, which occurs if the Executive is: (i) by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that could result in death or could last for a continuous period of at least 12 months (A) unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity or (B) receiving income replacement for a period of at least three months under an accident and health plan covering employees by the Company, and (ii) has not been able to perform his material duties and responsibilities for six consecutive months or for more than six months within a period of twelve calendar months.

 

Payments upon Termination of Employment in Connection with a Change of Control

 

Under Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, Mr. Burke will receive certain benefits as described in the above table if his termination of employment is without Cause by the Company or by him for Good Reason in connection with a Change of Control. Under Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, “Change of Control” is defined under the Severance Program. Under the Severance Program, a Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) any person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934) acquires securities of the Company, together with securities held by such person or group, representing more than 50 percent of the fair market value or combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, (ii) any person or group acquires securities of the Company representing 30 percent or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, (iii) a majority of the number of directors who constitute the Board of Directors is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of appointment or election, or (iv) there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition of the Company’s assets having a total gross market value equal to or more than 40 percent of the total gross fair market value of all of the Company’s assets immediately prior to such sale or disposition (other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all assets to an entity of which at least 50 percent of the combined voting power of the securities owned by shareholders of the Company).

 

280G Tax Gross-Up

 

Under Mr. Burke’s employment agreement, in the event Mr. Burke receives any payment or distribution from the Company in connection with a Change of Control, he may be subject to certain excise taxes pursuant to Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 280G”). The Company has agreed to reimburse Mr. Burke for all excise taxes that are imposed on him under Section 280G and any income and excise taxes that are payable by him as a result of any reimbursements by the Company for Section 280G excise taxes. The total Section 280G tax gross-up amount in the table above assumes that Mr. Burke is entitled to full reimbursement by the Company of (i) any excise taxes that are imposed upon him as a result of such payment, (ii) any income and excise taxes imposed upon Mr. Burke as a result of the Company’s reimbursement of the excise tax amount and

 

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(iii) any additional income and excise taxes that are imposed upon Mr. Burke as a result of the Company’s reimbursement of any excise or income taxes. The calculation of the Section 280G gross-up amount in the above table is based upon a Section 280G excise tax rate of 20 percent, a 35 percent federal income tax rate, a 1.45 percent Medicare tax rate, a 8.97 percent state income tax rate, a Change in Control date of December 31, 2011 and a closing price of $62.03 per share of Company Common Stock on December 31, 2011.

 

Messrs. Hoglund, Ivey, and Longhi, and Ms. Moore

 

The following table describes the potential payments upon termination of employment or a change of control of the Company for each of Messrs. Hoglund, Ivey, and Longhi, and Ms. Moore as of December 31, 2011.

 

Name

 

Executive Benefits
and Payments  Upon
Termination(1)

  Resignation
for any Reason
(prior to CIC)
or Resignation
without Good
Reason
(following a
CIC)
    Retirement     Termination
without  Cause(2)
    Termination
for Cause
    Termination
without Cause or
Resignation for
Good Reason
(following a
CIC)(3)
    Death or
Disability
 

Robert Hoglund

  Severance   $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,243,900      $ 0      $ 2,176,700      $ 0   
  Long-term incentives(4)   $ 0      $ 3,535,710 (5)    $ 3,535,710 (5)    $ 0      $ 3,535,710 (6)    $ 3,535,710 (5) 
 

Benefits and

Perquisites

  $ 47,838      $ 47,838      $ 106,677      $ 47,838      $ 140,516      $ 1,291,638   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Total   $ 47,838      $ 3,583,548      $ 4,886,287      $ 47,838      $ 5,852,926      $ 4,827,348   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Craig Ivey

  Severance   $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,615,200      $ 0      $ 2,733,400      $ 0   
 

Long-term

incentives(4)

  $ 0      $ 3,275,184 (5)    $ 3,275,184 (5)    $ 0      $ 3,275,184 (6)    $ 3,275,184 (5) 
 

Benefits and

Perquisites

  $ 23,892      $ 23,892      $ 193,707      $ 23,892      $ 338,522      $ 1,266,292   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Total   $ 23,892      $ 3,299,076      $ 5,084,091      $ 23,892      $ 6,347,106      $ 4,541,476   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

William Longhi

  Severance   $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,125,800      $ 0      $ 1,905,200      $ 0   
 

Long-term

incentives(4)

  $ 0      $ 2,667,290 (5)    $ 2,667,290 (5)    $ 0      $ 2,667,290 (6)    $ 2,667,290 (5) 
 

Benefits and

Perquisites

  $ 41,635      $ 41,635      $ 734,740      $ 41,635      $ 1,402,843      $ 1,124,135   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Total   $ 41,635      $ 2,708,925      $ 4,527,830      $ 41,635      $ 5,975,333      $ 3,791,425   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Elizabeth D. Moore

  Severance   $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,048,400      $ 0      $ 1,834,700      $ 0   
 

Long-term

incentives(4)

  $ 0      $ 1,420,487 (5)    $ 1,420,487 (5)    $ 0      $ 1,420,487 (6)    $ 1,420,487 (5) 
 

Benefits and

Perquisites

  $ 20,162      $ 20,162      $ 148,825      $ 20,162      $ 252,487      $ 1,068,562   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Total   $ 20,162      $ 1,440,649      $ 2,617,712      $ 20,162      $ 3,507,674      $ 2,489,049   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Footnotes:

(1)   Assumes the compensation of Messrs. Hoglund, Ivey and Longhi, and Ms. Moore for 2011 is as follows: (i) Mr. Hoglund’s base salary equal to $621,900 and a target annual bonus equal to 50 percent of base salary; (ii) Mr. Ivey’s base salary equal to $621,200 and a target annual bonus equal to 80 percent of base salary; (iii) Mr. Longhi’s base salary equal to $433,000 and a target annual bonus equal to 80 percent of base salary; and (iv) Ms. Moore’s base salary equal to $524,200 and a target annual bonus equal to 50 percent of base salary. Benefits and perquisites include incremental pension amounts, health and life insurance coverage cost, life insurance proceeds, accrued vacation pay, and outplacement costs, as applicable. For purposes of the table above, Messrs. Hoglund, Ivey and Longhi, and Ms. Moore, are each defined as the “Executive” in the corresponding footnotes below.
(2)  

As per the Severance Program, the Executive’s severance benefit pursuant to a termination without Cause (before a Change of Control or “CIC”) is equal to: (i) a lump sum equal to base salary and annual target bonus pro-rated through the termination date and any accrued vacation pay, (ii) a lump sum equal to the net present value of one additional year of service credit under the Company’s pension plans (assuming compensation at Executive’s then annual rate of base salary and target annual bonus), (iii) a lump sum equal to 1x the sum of

 

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the Executive’s then base salary and target annual bonus, (iv) one year continuation of health and life insurance coverage and one year of additional service credit toward eligibility for (but not for commencement of) retiree benefits, and (v) one year of outplacement costs.

(3)   As per the Severance Program, the Executive’s severance benefit under a termination without Cause or resignation for Good Reason (on or following CIC) is equal to the same severance benefit under a termination without Cause (before CIC) as described in footnote 2 above except the amounts in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) are 2x instead of 1x.
(4)   In calculating the potential payments, the Executive’s date of termination is assumed to be December 31, 2011 and the price per share of Company Common Stock on the date of termination is $62.03 per share.
(5)   For disclosure purposes, upon Termination (other than a termination for Cause or a resignation without Good Reason), retirement, death or disability the Management Development and Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) is assumed to have taken action pursuant to the long term incentive plan to fully accelerate the vesting of target performance-based awards and non-performance awards.
(6)   As per the long term incentive plan, in the event of a CIC, non-performance based stock unit awards and stock option awards fully vest on the date of such event and target performance-based restricted stock unit awards vest pro-rata through the date of such event. For disclosure purposes, the Committee is assumed to have taken action to fully accelerate target performance-based restricted stock unit awards under the long term incentive plan.

 

Assumptions for Messrs. Hoglund, Ivey, and Longhi, and Ms. Moore

 

Below is a description of the assumptions that were used in creating the tables for Messrs. Hoglund, Ivey, and Longhi, and Ms. Moore.

 

Equity Acceleration

 

As per the long term incentive plan, in the event of a Termination, resignation, retirement, death or Disability, the Management Development and Compensation Committee has discretion to determine the terms of the stock option awards and performance-based restricted stock awards (including, without limitation, to accelerate the vesting of unvested awards). Unless otherwise provided in the applicable long term incentive plan award agreement, in the event of a retirement, death or Disability, restricted stock awards vest pro-rata through the date of termination on the termination date.

 

As per the long term incentive plan, in the event of a Change in Control (as described below), stock unit awards, restricted stock awards, stock option awards, and stock appreciation awards fully vest on the date of such event. In the event of a Change in Control, performance-based restricted stock awards vest pro-rata through the date of such event.

 

For the purposes of the long term incentive plan: (i) a “Termination” means a resignation or discharge from employment, except death, disability or retirement, (ii) ”retirement” means resignation on or after age 55 with at least five years of service, (iii) ”Disability” means an inability to work in any gainful occupation for which the person is reasonably qualified by education, training or experience because of a sickness or injury for which the person is under doctor’s care, and (iv) ”Change in Control” has the same meaning as such term is used in the Severance Program.

 

Incremental Pension Amounts

 

As per the Severance Program, the amounts relating to the incremental pension amounts in the above tables are based on the net present value of one additional year of additional service credit under the Company’s pension plans following a termination without Cause or a resignation for Good Reason (two additional years if such termination is in connection with a Change of Control) assuming compensation at the Executive’s annual salary and target award, age 65 normal retirement, and the assumptions used to calculate lump sum benefits under the qualified retirement plan in December 2011. These assumptions include interest rates of 2.22 percent for the first five years, 4.23 percent for the next 15 years, and 5.28 percent thereafter (adjusted to 0.61 percent, 2.59 percent and 3.62 percent, respectively, to reflect cost of living adjustments) and the RP-2000 mortality table projected for 2011 (50 percent male/50 percent female blend). The assumptions for Messrs. Hoglund’s and Ivey’s and Ms. Moore’s pension amount do not reflect a cost of living adjustment in accordance with the “cash balance” formula. All amounts payable pursuant to an incremental non-qualified pension are assumed to be paid as a lump-sum.

 

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Termination without Cause or a Resignation for Good Reason

 

As per the Severance Program, the Executive will receive certain benefits as described in the table above if he or she is terminated by the Company for reasons other than Cause or he or she resigns for Good Reason (following a Change of Control). A termination is for Cause if it is for any of the following reasons: (i) willful and continued failure to substantially perform his or her duties, (ii) a conviction of a felony or entering a plea of nolo contendere to a felony that has a significant adverse effect on the business of the Company, or (iii) a willful engaging in illegal conduct or in gross misconduct materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.

 

As per the Severance Program, a resignation for Good Reason occurs if the Executive resigns for any of the following reasons on or following a Change of Control: (i) any material decrease in base compensation (except uniform decreases affecting similarly situated employees), (ii) any material breach by the Company of any material provisions of the Severance Program, (iii) a requirement by the Company for the Executive to be based more than 50 miles from the location the Executive is employed prior to the Change of Control, or (iv) the assignment of any duties materially inconsistent in any respect with the Executive’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control or any other action by the Company resulting in a material diminution in position, authority, duties or responsibilities.

 

Payments upon Termination of Employment in Connection with a Change of Control

 

As per the Severance Program, the Executive will receive certain benefits as described in the above table if his or her termination of employment is without Cause by the Company or he or she resigns for Good Reason following a Change of Control.

 

Section 280G

 

As per the Severance Program, in the event an Executive receives any payment or distribution from the Company in connection with a Change of Control, he or she may be subject to certain excise taxes pursuant to Section 280G. If any such payment by the Company to any of the Executives subjects the Executive to such taxes and the Executive would receive a greater net after-tax amount if the payment were reduced to avoid such taxation, the aggregate present value of amounts payable to the Executive pursuant to the Severance Program will be reduced (but not below zero) to the extent it does not trigger taxation under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. As per the long term incentive plan, any stock option award for which the exercise price is greater than fair market value or Company Common Stock may be cancelled if such cancellation would reduce or eliminate any such excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Code.

 

CERTAIN INFORMATION AS TO INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

No stockholder action is required with respect to the following information that is included to fulfill the requirements of Sections 726 of the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York.

 

Effective December 2, 2011, the Company purchased Directors and Officers (“D&O”) Liability insurance for a one-year term providing for reimbursement, with certain exclusions and deductions, to: (a) Con Edison and its subsidiaries for payments they make to indemnify Directors, Trustees, officers and assistant officers of Con Edison and its subsidiaries, (b) Directors, Trustees and officers for losses, costs and expenses incurred by them in actions brought against them in connection with their acts in those capacities for which they are not indemnified by Con Edison or its subsidiaries, and (c) Con Edison and its subsidiaries for any payments they make resulting from a securities claim. The insurers are: Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services Limited, Allied World Assurance Company, Ltd., Arch Insurance Company, Continental Casualty Company, Endurance American Insurance Company, Federal Insurance Company, Illinois National Insurance Company, Ironshore Insurance Ltd., Bermuda, National Specialty Insurance Company, U.S. Specialty Insurance Company, X.L. Insurance

 

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(Bermuda) Ltd., XL Specialty Insurance Company and Zurich American Insurance Company. The total cost of the D&O Liability insurance for one year from December 2, 2011 amounts to $4,670,176. The Company also purchased from Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services Limited, Arch Insurance Company, Axis Insurance Company, Great American Insurance Company, Illinois National Insurance Company, St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, RLI Insurance Company, U.S. Specialty Insurance Company and Zurich American Insurance Company, additional insurance coverage for one year effective January 1, 2012, insuring the Directors, Trustees, officers, and employees of Con Edison and its subsidiaries and certain other parties against certain liabilities which could arise in connection with fiduciary obligations mandated by ERISA and from the administration of the employee benefit plans of the Company and its subsidiaries. The cost of such coverage was $859,628.

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING

 

In order to be included in the Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to the Company’s 2013 annual meeting of stockholders, stockholder proposals must be received by the Company at its principal offices at 4 Irving Place, New York, New York 10003, Attention: Vice President and Corporate Secretary, by December 9, 2012.

 

Under the Company’s By-laws, written notice of any proposal to be presented by any stockholder or any other person to be nominated by any stockholder for election as a Director must be received by the Secretary of the Company at its principal executive office not less than 70 days nor more than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is first publicly announced or disclosed less than 80 days prior to the date of the meeting, such notice must be given not more than 10 days after such date is first announced or disclosed.

 

OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

 

Management intends to bring before the meeting only the election of Directors (Proposal No. 1) and Proposals No. 2 and 3, and knows of no matters to come before the meeting other than the matters set forth herein, including Proposal No. 4 by a stockholder. If other matters or motions come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matters or motions, including any matters dealing with the conduct of the meeting.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

LOGO

Carole Sobin

Vice President and Corporate Secretary

 

Dated: April 5, 2012

 

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LOGO

 

ADMISSION TICKET

 

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

of

CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.

 

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 10:00 a.m.

 

4 Irving Place

 

New York, NY 10003

 

This ticket admits only the named stockholder(s). Please bring this admission ticket and a proper

form of identification with you if attending the meeting.

 

 

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

 

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please promptly vote by telephone, through the Internet

or by completing and returning the attached proxy card. Voting early will not prevent you from voting

in person at the Annual Meeting if you wish to do so. Your proxy is revocable in accordance with

the procedures set forth in the proxy statement.

 

 
 

 

 

 

q  FOLD AND DETACH HERE  q

 

LOGO     

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

4 Irving Place

New York, NY 10003

  

CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC

COMMON STOCK

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby appoints Kevin Burke, Michael J. Del Giudice and Eugene R. McGrath and each or any of them with power of substitution, proxies to vote all stock of the undersigned (including any shares held through the Company’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan) at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on Monday, May 21, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Company’s Headquarters, 4 Irving Place, New York, NY or at any adjournments or postponements thereof, as specified on the reverse side in the election of Directors and on the proposals, all as more fully set forth in the proxy statement, and in their discretion on any matters that may properly come before the meeting or at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Your vote for the election of Directors may be indicated on the reverse side. Nominees are: 1.1 - Kevin Burke,

1.2 - Vincent A. Calarco, 1.3 - George Campbell, Jr., 1.4 - Gordon J. Davis, 1.5 - Michael J. Del Giudice, 1.6 - Ellen V. Futter,

1.7 - John F. Hennessy III, 1.8 - John F. Killian, 1.9 - Eugene R. McGrath, 1.10 - Sally H. Piñero, 1.11 - Michael W. Ranger and

1.12 - L. Frederick Sutherland.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE, BUT IF NO CHOICE IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR LISTED ABOVE (PROPOSAL 1), “FOR” PROPOSALS 2 AND 3, AND “AGAINST” PROPOSAL 4.

 

    Address Change/Comments          
            (Mark the corresponding  box on the reverse side)                      
               
               
          SHAREOWNER SERVICES    
          P.O. BOX 3550    
          SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ 07606-9250    
         
           
  (Continued and to be marked, dated and signed, on the reverse side)      


Table of Contents

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE TODAY.

We encourage you to take advantage of Internet or telephone voting.

Both are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

INTERNET AND TELEPHONE VOTING IS AVAILABLE UNTIL 11:59 P.M. EDT SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2012.

 

         

 

INTERNET

       

 

www.proxyvoting.com/ed

       

 

Use the Internet to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site.

 

         

 

OR

 

  LOGO      

 

TELEPHONE

 

1-866-540-5760

         

 

Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand when you call.

 

         

 

OR

 

         

 

MAIL

 

Mark, sign and date your proxy card. Detach your proxy card from this form. Return your proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided.

 

 

      

 

If you have submitted your proxy by Internet or by telephone, there is no need for you to mail back your proxy card.

 

Your Internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner and to the same extent as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

q  FOLD AND DETACH HERE  q

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all of the nominees listed (Proposal 1).   

Please mark your votes as

indicated in this example

  x

 

1. Election of Directors:

   FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN

 

1.1

Kevin Burke

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

 

1.2

Vincent A. Calarco

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

 

1.3

George Campbell, Jr.

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

 

1.4

Gordon J. Davis

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

 

1.5

Michael J. Del Giudice

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

 

1.6

Ellen V. Futter

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

           
   FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN   

 

1.7

John F. Hennessy III

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

1.8

John F. Killian

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

1.9

Eugene R. McGrath

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

1.10

Sally H. Piñero

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

1.11

Michael W. Ranger

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

1.12

L. Frederick Sutherland

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

 

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 2 and 3.
      FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN

 

2.   Ratification of appointment of independent accountants.

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

 

3.   Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation.

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Stockholder Proposal 4.
      FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN

 

4.   Additional compensation information.

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

  

 

¨

 

 

                        

SEE REVERSE FOR ADMISSION TICKET.

THIS TICKET ADMITS ONLY          

        
                        THE NAMED STOCKHOLDER(S).               
                          

I will attend the

Annual Meeting

 

  

 

¨

                               

Mark Here for

Address Change

SEE REVERSE

   ¨

 

  (Please sign exactly as name or names appear hereon. Full title of one signing in representative capacity should be clearly designated after signature. Names of all joint holders should be written even if signed by only one.)
Signature   

 

   Co-owner sign here   

 

   Date   

 


Table of Contents

*** Exercise Your Right to Vote ***

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the

Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on May 21, 2012

 

LOGO

 

Meeting Information

 

Meeting Type:

For holders as of:

Date: May 21, 2012

 

Annual

March 26, 2012

Time: 10:00 a.m. EDT

 

Location:

 

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

4 Irving Place

New York, New York 10003

 

 

THIS NOTICE IS YOUR ADMISSION TICKET TO THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

 

You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the above named company.

 

This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote these shares. This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. You may view the proxy materials online at www.proxyvoting.com/ed or easily request a paper copy (see reverse side).

 

We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.

 

 

See the reverse side of this notice to obtain proxy materials and voting instructions.

 

LOGO

 

    Voting Items       

 

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all of the nominees listed (Proposal 1).

 

1.      Election of Directors:

 

1.1      Kevin Burke

 

1.2      Vincent A. Calarco

 

1.3      George Campbell, Jr.

 

1.4      Gordon J. Davis

 

1.5      Michael J. Del Giudice

 

1.6      Ellen V Futter

 

1.7      John F. Hennessy III

 

1.8      John F. Killian

 

1.9      Eugene R. McGrath

 

1.10    Sally H. Piñero

 

1.11    Michael W. Ranger

  

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 2 and 3.

 

2.      Ratification of appointment of independent accountants.

 

3.      Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation.

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Stockholder Proposal 4.

 

4.      Additional compensation information.

 

1.12    L. Frederick Sutherland

      CONTROL NUMBER

 

LOGO

   LOGO

 

    
     21943


Table of Contents

BEFORE YOU VOTE

How to Access the Proxy Materials

 

 

Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE

 

NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT        ANNUAL REPORT

 

How to View Online:

Have the 11-digit control number that is printed in the gray shaded box marked by the arrow located on the opposite side of this notice and visit: www.proxyvoting.com/ed.

 

How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy:

If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request:

1)        BY INTERNET:              www.proxyvoting.com/ed

2)        BY TELEPHONE:           1-888-313-0164

3)        BY E-MAIL:                    shrrelations@bnymellon.com

 

•   If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the 11-digit control number that is printed in the gray shaded box marked by the arrow located on the opposite side of this notice in the subject line.

 

Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded. Please make the request as instructed above on or before May 11, 2012 to facilitate timely delivery.

 

HOW TO VOTE

Please Choose One of the Following Voting Methods

 

 

Vote By Internet: To vote now by Internet, go to www.proxyvoting.com/ed. Have the 11-digit control number that is printed in the gray shaded box marked by the arrow located on the opposite side of this notice available and follow the instructions.

 

Vote By Mail: You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a proxy card.

 

Vote in Person: This Notice and valid photo identification will serve as your non-transferable admission ticket to the annual meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, or hold a legal proxy, you may vote these shares by ballot at the annual meeting.

 

21943


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

 

 

Why did I receive this Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (Notice) and not the printed proxy materials?

In 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted Notice and Access Rules. Companies are permitted to send the enclosed Notice instead of a full set of printed proxy materials. The Notice gives you instructions on how to view Con Edison’s proxy materials and vote online or how to receive a full set of printed proxy materials by mail.

There are several advantages to Con Edison sending a Notice instead of a full set of printed proxy materials:

 

   

Lowers Con Edison’s printing and mailing costs.

 

   

Reduces environmental impact - saves trees and reduces fossil fuel consumption.

 

   

Allows faster notification of how to access proxy materials in an easily searchable format.

 

 

How do I view the proxy materials online?

Go to www.proxyvoting.com/ed and follow the instructions to view the proxy materials. You will need to provide the 11-digit control number printed in the gray shaded box marked by the arrow LOGO located on the Notice.

 

 

What if I still prefer to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials?

You can request a paper copy at no cost. You will need the 11-digit control number on the Notice that is printed in the gray shaded box marked by the arrow LOGO .. Please select from one of the three options below.

 

   

By INTERNET at www.proxyvoting.com/ed;

 

   

By PHONE toll-free at 888-313-0164 or call 201-680-6688 if you are outside of the U.S. and Canada; or

 

   

By sending an E-MAIL to shrrelations@bnymellon.com; enter in the subject line the 11-digit control number printed in the gray shaded box marked by the arrow LOGO from the Notice. No other information is necessary.


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

 

   

Can I request to receive my proxy materials by e-mail rather than receive a Notice?

Yes, you may request to receive proxy materials for all future meetings, either by e-mail, or in paper form by mail. To request future copies by e-mail, go to www.proxyvoting.com/ed and follow the electronic delivery enrollment instructions after voting your shares.

 

 

How can I vote my shares?

 

   

You may vote your shares via the INTERNET at www.proxyvoting.com/ed.

 

   

Provide the 11-digit control number printed in the gray shaded box marked by the arrow LOGO located on the Notice.

 

   

You may vote your shares BY MAIL by requesting a paper copy of the proxy materials.

 

   

You may vote your shares BY PHONE by requesting a paper copy of the proxy materials or by viewing the proxy materials at www.proxyvoting.com/ed at which time phone numbers will be provided. You will need a touch tone telephone to vote by phone.

 

   

You may also vote your shares IN PERSON at Con Edison’s meeting. Please refer to the proxy statement for specific instructions.

You are encouraged to read all of the proxy materials before voting your shares as they contain important information for making an informed voting decision.

You MAY NOT use your Notice to vote your shares. It is NOT a form for voting. If you send the Notice back your vote will not count.

For more information please visit,

www.sec.gov/spotlight/proxymatters/e-proxy.shtml


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.

ANNUAL MEETING FOR HOLDERS AS OF 3/26/12

TO BE HELD ON 5/21/12

Your vote is important. Thank you for voting.

Read the Proxy Statement and have the voting instruction form below

at hand. Please note that the telephone and Internet voting turns off at

11:59 pm ET the night before the meeting or cutoff date.

To vote by Internet

1) Go to website www.proxyvote.com.

2) Follow the instructions provided on the website.

To vote by Telephone

1) Call 1-800-454-8683.

2) Follow the instructions.

To vote by Mail

1) Check the appropriate boxes on the voting instruction form below.

2) Sign and date the voting instruction form.

3) Return the voting instruction form in the envelope provided.

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

M45570-P17732

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder

Meeting. The following material is available at www.proxyvote.com:

Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report

PLEASE “X” HERE ONLY IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND VOTE THESE SHARES IN PERSON

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all of the nominees listed (Proposal 1):

1. Election of Directors:

For Against Abstain

1a. Kevin Burke

1b. Vincent A. Calarco

1c. George Campbell, Jr.

1d. Gordon J. Davis

1e. Michael J. Del Giudice

1f. Ellen V. Futter

1g. John F. Hennessy III

1h. John F. Killian

1i. Eugene R. McGrath

1j. Sally H. Piñero

1k. Michael W. Ranger

1l. L. Frederick Sutherland

For Against Abstain

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 2 and 3:

2. Ratification of appointment of independent accountants.

3. Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Stockholder Proposal 4:

4. Additional compensation information.

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date


Table of Contents

*** Exercise Your Right to Vote ***

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the

Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on May 21, 2012.

 

          

 

Meeting Information

   
   CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.        

 

Meeting Type:        Annual Meeting

   
           For holders as of:    March 26, 2012    
           Date:  May 21, 2012           Time: 10:00 AM    
          

Location:  4 Irving Place

    New York, NY 10003

   
                
            
          

 

You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the above named company.

LOGO           

 

This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote these shares. This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. You may view the proxy materials online at www.proxyvote.com or easily request a paper copy (see reverse side).

          

 

 

We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.

 

          

 

See the reverse side of this notice to obtain proxy materials and voting instructions.


Table of Contents
    

—  Before You Vote  —

How to Access the Proxy Materials

 

 
     Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE:    
     NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT            ANNUAL REPORT    
    

 

How to View Online:

   
     Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow   LOGO   (located on the following page) and visit: www.proxyvote.com.    
    

 

How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy:

   
     If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request:    
    

1) BY INTERNET:        www.proxyvote.com

   
    

2) BY TELEPHONE:    1-800-579-1639

   
    

3) BY E-MAIL*:            sendmaterial@proxyvote.com

   
    

 

*   If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow   LOGO   (located on the following page) in the subject line.

 

Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor. Please make the request as instructed above on or before May 7, 2012 to facilitate timely delivery.

 

   
      
    

 

—  How To Vote  —

Please Choose One of the Following Voting Methods

 

 
               

 

LOGO     

     Vote By Internet: To vote now by Internet, go to www.proxyvote.com. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow   LOGO   available and follow the instructions.    
    

 

Vote By Mail: You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a voting instruction form.

   
    

 

Vote In Person: If you choose to vote these shares in person at the meeting, you must request a “legal proxy.” To do so, please follow the instructions at www.proxyvote.com or request a paper copy of the materials, which will contain the appropriate instructions. Many shareholder meetings have attendance requirements including, but not limited to, the possession of an attendance ticket issued by the entity holding the meeting. Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. THIS NOTICE WILL SERVE AS AN ADMISSION TICKET.

 

   
      


Table of Contents
Voting Items       
 

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all of the nominees listed (Proposal 1):

     

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 2 and 3:

    
 

 

1.

 

 

Election of Directors:

     

 

2.

   

 

Ratification of appointment of independent accountants.

  
   

 

1a.

 

1b.

 

1c.

 

1d.    

 

1e.    

 

1f.    

 

1g.    

 

1h.    

 

1i.

 

1j.

 

1k.

 

1l.

 

 

 

 

Kevin Burke

 

Vincent A. Calarco

 

George Campbell, Jr.

 

Gordon J. Davis

 

Michael J. Del Giudice

 

Ellen V. Futter

 

John F. Hennessy III

 

John F. Killian

 

Eugene R. McGrath

 

Sally H. Pinero

 

Michael W. Ranger

 

L. Frederick Sutherland

 

     

 

3.

   

 

Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation.

  
           

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Stockholder Proposal 4:

  
           

 

4.

   

 

Additional compensation information.

  
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
LOGO                 
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

 

 

Why did I receive this Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (Notice) and not the printed proxy materials?

In 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted Notice and Access Rules. Companies are permitted to send the enclosed Notice instead of a full set of printed proxy materials. The Notice gives you instructions on how to view Con Edison’s proxy materials and vote online or how to receive a full set of printed proxy materials by mail.

There are several advantages to Con Edison sending a Notice instead of a full set of printed proxy materials:

 

   

Lowers Con Edison’s printing and mailing costs.

 

   

Reduces environmental impact - saves trees and reduces fossil fuel consumption.

 

   

Allows faster notification of how to access proxy materials in an easily searchable format.

 

 

How do I view the proxy materials online?

Go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions to view the proxy materials. You will need to provide the information printed in the box marked by the arrow LOGO located on the Notice.

 

 

What if I still prefer to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials?

You can request a paper copy at no cost. You will need the information on the Notice that is printed in the box marked by the arrow LOGO .. Please select from one of the three options below.

 

   

By INTERNET at www.proxyvote.com;

 

   

By TELEPHONE toll-free at 800-579-1639; or

 

   

By sending an E-MAIL to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com; enter in the subject line the information printed in the box marked by the arrow LOGO from the Notice. No other information is necessary.


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

 

   

Can I request to receive my proxy materials by e-mail rather than receive a Notice?

Yes, you may request to receive proxy materials for all future meetings, either by e-mail, or in paper form by mail. To request future copies by e-mail, go to www.proxyvote.com or www.investordelivery.com and follow the electronic delivery enrollment instructions.

 

 

How can I vote my shares?

 

   

You may vote your shares via the INTERNET at www.proxyvote.com.

 

   

Provide the information printed in the box marked by the arrow LOGO located on the Notice.

 

   

You may vote your shares BY MAIL by requesting a paper copy of the proxy materials.

 

   

You may vote your shares BY PHONE by requesting a paper copy of the proxy materials or by viewing the proxy materials at www.proxyvote.com at which time a toll-free number will be provided. You will need a touch tone telephone to vote by phone.

 

   

You may also vote your shares IN PERSON at Con Edison’s meeting. Please refer to the proxy statement for specific instructions.

You are encouraged to read all of the proxy materials before voting your shares as they contain important information for making an informed voting decision.

You MAY NOT use your Notice to vote your shares. It is NOT a form for voting. If you send the Notice back your vote will not count.

For more information please visit,

www.sec.gov/spotlight/proxymatters/e-proxy.shtml


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE TODAY.

We encourage you to take advantage of Internet or telephone voting. Both are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

INTERNET AND TELEPHONE VOTING IS AVAILABLE UNTIL 11:59 P.M. EDT WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012.

www.proxyvoting.com/ed INTERNET

Use the Internet to provide Voting Instructions.

Have this Voting Instruction form in hand when

accessing the web site.

OR

TELEPHONE

1-866-540-5760

Use any touch-tone telephone to provide Voting

Instructions. Have this Voting Instruction form in

hand when calling.

OR

MAIL

Mark , sign and date this Voting Instruction form.

Detach this Voting Instruction form and return it

in the postage-paid envelope provided.

If you have submitted Voting Instructions by Internet or by telephone, there is no need to mail back this Voting Instruction form.

Your Internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies

to vote your shares in the same manner and to the same

extent as if you marked, signed and returned this Voting

Instruction form.

WO# 21948-yl

FOLD AND DETACH HERE

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all of the nominees listed (Proposal 1).

1. Election of Directors:

FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN

1.1 Kevin Burke

1.2 Vincent A. Calarco

1.3 George Campbell ,Jr.

1.4 Gordon J. Da vis

1.5 Michael J. Del Giudice

1.6 Ellen V. Futter

FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN

1.7 John F. Hennessy III

1.8 John F. Killian

1.9 Eugene R . McGrath

1.10 Sally H. Piñero

1.11 Michael W. Ranger

1.12 L. Frederick Sutherland

Plea se mark your votes as indicated in this example

X

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 2 and 3.

FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN

2. Ratification of appointment of independent accountants.

3. Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Stockholder Proposal 4.

FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN

4. Additional compensation information.

SEE REVERSE FOR ADMISSION TICKET. THIS TICKET ADMITS ONLY THE NAMED STOCKHOLDER ( S .)

I will attend the Annual Meeting

Mark Here for

Address Change

SEE REVERSE

(Please sign exactly as name or names appear hereon. Full title of one signing in representative capacity should be clearly designated after signature. Names of all joint holders should be written even if signed by only one.)

Signature

Co-owner sign here

Date


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

ADMISSION TICKET

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

of

CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 10:00 a.m.

4 Irving Place

New York, NY 10003

This ticket admits only the named stockholder(s). Please bring this admission ticket and a proper form of identification with you if attending the meeting.

FOLD AND DETACH HERE

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

4 Irving Place

New York, NY 10003

CONFIDENTIAL VOTING INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPUTERSHARE AS PLAN AGENT

FOR THE CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC. STOCK PURCHASE PLAN (STOCK PURCHASE PLAN)

CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.

PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, M AY 21, 2012

I hereby instruct Computershare, the Plan Agent for the Stock Purchase Plan to vote (in person or by proxy) all of the shares of common stock of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (the Company), which are credited to my account under the Stock Purchase Plan, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on Monday, May 21, 2012, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof on the following matters, all as more fully set forth in the proxy statement, as checked on the reverse side, and in its discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or at any adjournments or postponements thereof. This form provides Voting Instructions for shares held in the Stock Purchase Plan. If signed, dated and returned, the shares of common stock of the Company represented by the Voting Instructions will be voted in accordance with the specifications given.

Address Change/Comments

(Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side)

SHAREOWNER SERVICES

P.O. BOX 3550

SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ 07606-9250

(Continued and to be marked, dated and signed, on the reverse side)

WO# 21948-yl


Table of Contents

LOGO

CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.

4 IRVING PLACE - ROOM 1618-S

NEW YORK, NY 10003

ATTN: CAROLE SOBIN

VOTING IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE TODAY.

Vote by Internet, phone or mail. Follow the instructions below.

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit these Voting Instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Have this Voting Instruction form in hand when accessing the web site and then follow the instructions.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit these Voting Instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Have this Voting Instruction form in hand when calling and then follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date this Voting Instruction form and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge,

51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, by Wednesday, May 16, 2012.

Do not vote by mail if Voting Instructions were previously transmitted by Internet or phone.

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

M44461-P20339

KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

THIS VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all of the nominees listed (Proposal 1):

For Against Abstain

1. Election of Directors: 1a. Kevin Burke

1b. Vincent A. Calarco 1c. George Campbell, Jr. 1d. Gordon J. Davis 1e. Michael J. Del Giudice 1f. Ellen V. Futter 1g. John F. Hennessy III 1h. John F. Killian 1i. Eugene R. McGrath 1j. Sally H. Piñero 1k. Michael W. Ranger 1l. L. Frederick Sutherland

For Against Abstain

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 2 and 3:

2. Ratification of appointment of independent accountants.

3. Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Stockholder Proposal 4:

4. Additional compensation information.

Please sign exactly as the name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date

Signature (Joint Owners)

Date


Table of Contents

LOGO

ADMISSION TICKET

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

of

CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 10:00 a.m.

4 Irving Place

New York, NY 10003

This ticket admits only the named stockholder(s). Please bring this admission ticket and a proper form of identification with you if attending the meeting.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.

M44462-P20339

CONFIDENTIAL VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

To Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company as Trustee under the Consolidated Edison Thrift Savings Plan (Thrift Savings Plan) and the Con Edison Tax Reduction Act Stock Ownership Plan (TRASOP Plan)

CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Monday, May 21, 2012

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors

Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, the Trustee of the Thrift Savings Plan and TRASOP Plan (together, the Plans), is instructed to vote (in person or by proxy) all of the shares of common stock of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (the Company), which are credited to the account under the Plans, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on Monday, May 21, 2012, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, for the matters listed on the reverse side, all as more fully set forth in the proxy statement, as checked on reverse side, and in its discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. This form provides voting instructions for shares held in the Plans. If signed, dated and returned, the shares of common stock of the Company represented by these Voting Instructions will be voted in accordance with the specifications given.

If shares are held in the Plans and these Voting Instructions are not returned to the Trustee by Wednesday, May 16, 2012, the shares will be voted in the same manner and proportions as those shares for which the Trustee has received instructions. If these Voting Instructions are signed, dated and returned with no preference indicated, the shares will be voted on each proposal as recommended by the Board of Directors.

Continued and to be signed on reverse side