Filed by Consolidated Edison, Inc.
              Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
                 Subject Company: Consolidated Edison, Inc. (DE)
                          Commission File No. 333-31390


The following message, beginning on March 13, 2000, will be recorded on The Con
Edison/NU Merger Information Line at 1-800-558-5947:

#800 Update - week of March 13, 2000


As you may  know,  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  declared  the Con
Edison/NU  joint  proxy  statement  effective  on March 1. The proxy  statement,
including the proxy card,  is in the mail to all Con Edison and NU  shareholders
and all  shareholders  can expect to receive it  momentarily.  In addition,  the
joint proxy  statement is available  online at www.nu.com  under the  Investor's
Corner.

Your vote on these proposals is very important,  so please complete,  sign, date
and return each proxy card you receive  right  away.  In order to be  tabulated,
your vote must be received by the date stated on your proxy card(s). If you miss
the deadline, your vote will not count.

Market forces tell us that size matters in the new,  competitive energy business
environment,  and we urge you to vote FOR the Con Edison/NU merger. The combined
company will have the financial  resources that we anticipate  will be needed to
grow and prosper in the future.  This should help increase the efficiency of our
operations,  enhance  our  ability  to  deploy  advanced  technologies,  further
strengthen our  infrastructure  and customer service,  and increase  shareholder
value through growth in earnings. In short, we believe this combination presents
greater prospects for a bright future for employees,  a solid investment for our
shareholders, and a sound business choice for our customers.

The next step involves  shareholder  approval,  and a Special  Annual Meeting is
scheduled for April 14th.  NU  shareholders  will be voting on two items:  1. To
allow NU to amend  its  declaration  of  trust  to allow a merger  with  another
company. This item must pass for the second to pass.
2. To merge with Con Edison.

Con Edison  shareholders  will be voting to approve  the merger  with  Northeast
Utilities.

Please be sure to  complete  and return all proxy  cards you  receive by the due
date indicated on the card(s). Every proxy card must be voted for your shares to
be represented.  Not voting is counted as a "no" vote, so please be sure to vote
every proxy you receive. You will receive a separate proxy for shares you own in
your 401k plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or through your private holdings.