This announcement is not a solicitation of a Consent. The Consent Solicitation is made solely by the Consent Statement dated October 28, 1997 and the accompanying Consent Card. NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION NOTICE OF SOLICITATION OF CONSENTS RELATING TO THE FOLLOWING SERIES OF PREFERRED STOCK Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, a New York corporation (the "Corporation"), is soliciting consents (the "Consents"), as set forth in the Consent Statement dated October 28, 1997 (the "Consent Statement") and in the accompanying Consent Card, from the holders of its preferred stock described below to permit the Corporation to issue up to $5 billion in unsecured indebtedness in excess of the present limitation of $700 million (the "Proposal"). The Proposal is described in more detail in the Consent Statement. If Consents are received (and not revoked) from the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the preferred stock, the Proposal will become effective and the Corporation will make a special cash payment in the amount of $1.00 per share of preferred stock ($0.25 for $25 par preferred stocks) to each holder of record of the preferred stock on October 23, 1997. Only holders of record at the close of business on October 23, 1997 will be entitled to grant Consents. If the Proposal is approved, the Corporation will pay to a designated Soliciting Dealer (as defined in the Consent Statement) a solicitation fee of $1.00 per share ($0.25 per share for $25 par preferred stocks) for each share of preferred stock as to which a consent is granted (and not revoked) by a beneficial owner holding less than 2,500 (or 10,000 with respect to $25 par preferred stocks) shares if such consent is received prior to the effectiveness of the Proposal, subject to certain other conditions. A designated Soliciting Dealer is not entitled to a solicitation fee for shares of preferred stock owned by such Soliciting Dealer. See "Reasons for the Proposal--Solicitation of Consents" in the Consent Statement. SHARES AGGREGATE CASH PAYMENT SERIES/CUSIP NUMBER OUTSTANDING VOTES PER SHARE ------------------- ----------- ----- --------- CUMULATIVE PREFERRED $100 PAR 3.40% SERIES/653522 201 200,000 200,000 $1.00 3.60% SERIES/653522 300 350,000 350,000 $1.00 3.90% SERIES/653522 409 240,000 240,000 $1.00 4.10% SERIES/653522 508 210,000 210,000 $1.00 4.85% SERIES/653522 607 250,000 250,000 $1.00 5.25% SERIES/653522 706 200,000 200,000 $1.00 6.10% SERIES/653522 805 250,000 250,000 $1.00 7.45% SERIES 222,000 222,000 $1.00 7.72% SERIES/653522 888 400,000 400,000 $1.00 CUMULATIVE PREFERRED $25 PAR 7.85% SERIES/653522 813 731,204 182,801 $0.25 8.375% SERIES 100,000 25,000 $0.25 9.50% SERIES/653522 797 6,000,000 1,500,000 $0.25 ADJUSTABLE RATE PREFERRED $25 PAR SERIES A/653522 854 1,200,000 300,000 $0.25 SERIES B/653522 847 1,750,000 437,500 $0.25 SERIES C/653522 839 2,000,000 500,000 $0.25 SHAREHOLDERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN THEIR CONSENT BY DECEMBER 3, 1997. CONSENTS MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROPOSAL. SEE "CONSENT PROCEDURES--REVOCATION OF CONSENTS" IN THE CONSENT STATEMENT. The Information Agent is: D.F. KING & CO., INC. 77 Water Street New York, New York 10005 Banks and Brokers call (212) 269-5550 (collect) All others call (800) 290-6432 (toll-free) The Solicitation Agent is: MERRILL LYNCH & CO. World Financial Center 250 Vesey Street New York, New York 10281 (888) 654-8637 (toll-free) Attn: Susan L. Weinberg October 29, 1997