<Page> Exhibit 12-1 NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORPORATION COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES <Table> <Caption> Calendar Year -------------------------------------------------------------- 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (Thousands) ----------- Net Income $ 132,718 $ 194,807 $ 219,595 $ 206,134 $ 213,798 Add: Income tax - current 52,420 140,764 138,804 124,268 105,495 Income tax - deferred 37,973 14,932 500 120,535 31,902 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Pre-tax Income From Continuing Operations 223,111 350,503 358,899 450,937 351,195 Fixed Charges 94,715 105,391 105,203 129,433 124,874 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Earnings, as defined $ 317,826 $ 455,894 $ 464,102 $ 580,370 $ 476,069 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Fixed Charges: Interest on long-term debt $ 62,752 $ 79,355 $ 81,027 $ 93,678 $ 98,916 Other interest 23,407 19,381 17,203 28,163 18,132 Amortization of premium and expense on debt 7,509 5,280 5,439 6,374 6,507 Interest portion of rental charges 1,047 1,375 1,534 1,218 1,319 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Fixed Charges, as defined $ 94,715 $ 105,391 $ 105,203 $ 129,433 $ 124,874 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 3.36 4.33 4.41 4.48 3.81 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== </Table>