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Durst Organization Buildings Go 'Green' For Earth Day

Durst Organization Buildings Go 'Green' For Earth Day

Published 04-22-05

Submitted by Consolidated Edison Inc.

NEW YORK, NY - In what is considered to be one of the largest "single destination" usages of renewable "green power" in New York City, The Durst Organization, one of New York City's most prominent real estate developers and owners, will fully power its eight commercial properties with renewable wind energy on April 21 and 22, to coincide with Earth Day.

The power will be supplied by ConEdison Solutions, a leading energy services company that annually provides The Durst Organization with approximately 8.9 million kilowatt-hours of clean and renewable "Green Power" for its 8.5-million-square-foot portfolio of high-rise office buildings in Manhattan. This amount represents ten percent of the total energy consumed within the company's New York office portfolio.

"Green Power" is clean, renewable energy generated in New York State that is now available to all residential, commercial, industrial and government energy users in New York from ConEdison Solutions. "Green Power" used by commercial users consists entirely of NewWind Energy®, a product of Community Energy, Inc. NewWind Energy® is supplied from the 30-megawatt Fenner Wind Power Project, located east of Syracuse in Madison County.

"By using wind power, The Durst Organization is setting an example about the benefits of renewable energy for all New Yorkers," said JoAnn F. Ryan, president and CEO of ConEdison Solutions. "Environmentally sophisticated companies like The Durst Organization make New York a cleaner and greener place to live for all of us."

The Durst Organization, founded in 1915, is widely recognized as a world leader in the development of technologically advanced and environmentally responsible commercial and residential real estate. The firm's office portfolio includes the multi-award-winning 4 Times Square (the Condé Nast Building), a 48-story tower, which, in its design and construction, is considered one of the "greenest" commercial buildings in the world, and has served as a model for subsequent green development in New York.

Among the newest Durst projects are the 2.1-million-square-foot Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park (co-developed with Bank of America), which will take environmentally-friendly design to yet a higher level; and The Helena, a 600-unit "green" rental residence recently opened on Manhattan's West Side, which is expected to become one of the first multi-family buildings to earn a gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Buildings Council.

"ConEdison Solutions, and its green power, have been integral to supporting our corporate mission to be an environmentally-conscious consumer of energy," said Douglas Durst, co-president of The Durst Organization. "With their services, ten percent of our everyday energy is both fossil-fuel-independent and pollution-free."

The unprecedented use of green power will occur on the 35th annual Earth Day, April 22, 2005. Since the first Earth Day in 1970, organizers have strived to promote environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide. As a result, Earth Day is celebrated by more than half a billion people each year, making it the largest secular holiday in the world.

This year in New York City, Earth Day New York is presenting EarthFair 2005 on Vanderbilt Avenue at the western entrance to Grand Central Terminal on Friday April 22 and Saturday, April 23. The public is invited to a free fun event where they can learn more about wind power in New York State and many other green lifestyle choices, sample delicious organic food, hear live music and enjoy lots of kid's activities and dancing in the streets. For more information, contact Earth Day New York at www.earthdayny.org or 212-922-0048.

In recognition of The Durst Organization's commitment to renewable energy and the 35th Anniversary of Earth Day, ConEdison Solutions and Community Energy, Inc. will provide "Green Power" to Grand Central Terminal for the entire day on Earth Day, April 22.

The fractional cost of using pollution-free electricity is far outweighed by the benefits to the environment, expanded energy security and the improved quality of life. For residential customers, "Green Power" costs approximately one half cent more per kilowatt-hour than the ConEdison Solutions standard offer. For a typical residential customer using 350 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month, the additional cost roughly equals $1.75 more per month than standard electricity rates.

"Green Power" users do not need to re-wire or purchase special equipment. Business or residential customers can sign up by calling 1-888-320-8991, or on-line at www.conedisonsolutions.com. Event sponsors said that as more customers sign up for "Green Power," more wind farms would be brought on-line in New York.

ConEdison Solutions is a leading energy services company that provides cost-effective energy solutions for commercial, industrial, residential, and government
customers. Based in White Plains, New York, with offices in Burlington, MA, Cherry Hill, NJ, and Arlington, VA, the company's dedicated team of energy professionals delivers a broad range of commodity, consulting, demand-side management and performance contracting services. ConEdison Solutions creates customized programs and services tailored to help customers achieve their individual energy objectives.

ConEdison Solutions is a subsidiary and registered trademark of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED). More information can be obtained by calling 1-888-210-8899 or by visiting the ConEdison Solutions web site at www.conedisonsolutions.com. Visit the Consolidated Edison, Inc. web site at www.conedison.com for information on all Consolidated Edison companies.

Consolidated Edison Inc.

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