Consent of Independent Accountants


We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by reference of our report dated March
13, 1997,  appearing on page 49 of this Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  in (i) the
Prospectus  constituting  part of the  Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 (No.
33-15725) relating to the Consolidated Edison Discount Stock Purchase Plan, (ii)
the Prospectus  constituting part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No.
33-64657)  relating to $540 million principal amount of the Company's  unsecured
debt securities, (iii) the Prospectus, dated March 14, 1996, and the Prospectus,
dated  November 23, 1993, as amended by the Prospectus  Supplement,  dated March
14,  1996  constituting  part of the  Registration  Statement  on Form  S-3 (No.
333-01717)  relating  to the  Consolidated  Edison  Company  of New  York,  Inc.
Automatic  Dividend  Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan, and (iv) the Prospectus
constituting  part of the  Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 (No.  333-04463)
relating to the Consolidated  Edison Company of New York, Inc. 1996 Stock Option
Plan.





PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

New York, New York
March 28, 1997