EXHIBIT 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in: (i) the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-84156) relating to the Con Edison Automatic
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan; (ii) the Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (No. 333-04463-99) relating to the Con Edison 1996 Stock Option Plan;
(iii) the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-86820) relating to The
Consolidated Edison Stock Purchase Plan; and (iv) the Registration Statements on
Form S-3 (Nos. 333-72264 and 333-102005) relating to debt and equity securities
of Con Edison of our report dated February 20, 2003 relating to the financial
statements and financial statement schedules of Consolidated Edison, Inc. which
appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.




PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP



New York, NY
February 27, 2003