<Page> EXHIBIT 12.1 CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC. RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES NINE MONTHS ENDED (Thousands of Dollars) <Table> <Caption> SEPTEMBER 2002 ------------ EARNINGS Net Income for Common Stock $ 527,715 Preferred Dividends 9,627 Income Tax 325,902 ------------ Total Earnings Before Federal Income Tax 863,244 FIXED CHARGES* 333,507 ------------ Total Earnings Before Federal Income Tax and Fixed Charges $ 1,196,751 ============ * Fixed Charges Interest on Long-Term Debt $ 286,499 Amortization of Debt Discount, Premium and Expense 9,311 Interest on Component of Rentals 10,445 Other Interest 27,252 ------------ Total Fixed Charges $ 333,507 ============ Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 3.59 </Table> <Page> CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC. RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES TWELVE MONTHS ENDED (Thousands of Dollars) <Table> <Caption> SEPTEMBER DECEMBER 2002 2001 ------------ ------------- EARNINGS Net Income for Common Stock $ 652,825 $ 682,242 Preferred Dividends 13,025 13,593 Income Tax 402,043 442,631 ------------ ------------- Total Earnings Before Federal Income Tax 1,067,893 1,138,466 FIXED CHARGES* 448,368 457,554 ------------ ------------- Total Earnings Before Federal Income Tax and Fixed Charges $ 1,516,261 $ 1,596,020 ============ ============= * Fixed Charges Interest on Long-Term Debt $ 382,073 $ 384,422 Amortization of Debt Discount, Premium and Expense 12,536 12,526 Interest on Component of Rentals 13,927 18,783 Other Interest 39,832 41,823 ------------ ------------- Total Fixed Charges $ 448,368 $ 457,554 ============ ============= Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 3.38 3.49 </Table>