<Page> Exhibit 12-1 NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORPORATION C0MPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES <Table> <Caption> Calendar Year ---------------------------------------------------- 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (Thousands) ----------- Income Before Extraordinary Item $194,807 $221,240 $223,700 $213,798 $184,553 Add: Income tax - current 140,764 139,925 133,726 105,495 111,829 Income tax - deferred 14,932 500 120,535 31,902 5,884 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Pre-tax Income From Continuing Operations 350,503 361,665 477,961 351,195 302,266 Fixed Charges 105,391 105,203 129,433 124,874 126,779 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Earnings, as defined $455,894 $466,868 $607,394 $476,069 $429,045 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Fixed Charges: Interest on long-term debt $79,355 $81,027 $93,678 $98,916 $104,122 Other interest 19,381 17,203 28,163 18,132 13,192 Amortization of premium and expense on debt 5,280 5,439 6,374 6,507 6,502 Interest portion of rental charges 1,375 1,534 1,218 1,319 2,963 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Fixed Charges, as defined $105,391 $105,203 $129,433 $124,874 $126,779 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 4.33 4.44 4.69 3.81 3.38 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== </Table>