Hurricane Sandy	9 Months Ended
Hurricane Sandy	Sep. 30, 2012
Hurricane Sandy	Note L — Hurricane Sandy In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage to the Utilities’ electric distribution system and interrupted service to approximately 950,000 CECONY customers and approximately 250,000 O&R customers. Hurricane Sandy also damaged CECONY’s steam system and interrupted service to many of its steam customers. To restore service to their customers and repair their energy systems, the Utilities are incurring substantial operating costs and making substantial capital expenditures, the amount of which the Utilities are unable to estimate at this time. The Utilities' rate plans provide for operating costs and capital expenditures under different provisions. The Utilities expect that most of their operating expenses attributable to Hurricane Sandy will be deferred for recovery as a regulatory asset under their electric rate plans. The Utilities’ capital expenditures, up to specified levels, are reflected in rates under their rate plans. In addition, CECONY's rate plans, provide that it may request in its next base rate filings to recover additional capital expenditures (provided the company can justify the need for and reasonableness of, and its inability to reasonably avoid, such additional capital expenditures). Under its New York electric rate plan and subject to certain limitations, O&R defers as a regulatory asset the revenue requirement impact of the amount by which actual average net utility plant is different than the average net utility plant reflected in rates. Under the New York rate plans, the Utilities also may petition the NYSPSC for authorization to defer extraordinary expenditures not otherwise addressed in their rate plans. The Utilities’ New York electric rate plans include provisions for revenue decoupling, as a result of which delivery revenues generally are not affected by changes in delivery volumes from levels assumed when rates were approved. The provisions of the Utilities' New York electric plans that impose penalties for operating performance provide for exceptions for major storms and catastrophic events beyond the control of the companies, including natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods. The Utilities expect the NYSPSC to investigate the preparation and performance of New York utilities in connection with Hurricane Sandy.
CECONY [Member]
Hurricane Sandy	Note L — Hurricane Sandy In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage to the Utilities’ electric distribution system and interrupted service to approximately 950,000 CECONY customers and approximately 250,000 O&R customers. Hurricane Sandy also damaged CECONY’s steam system and interrupted service to many of its steam customers. To restore service to their customers and repair their energy systems, the Utilities are incurring substantial operating costs and making substantial capital expenditures, the amount of which the Utilities are unable to estimate at this time. The Utilities' rate plans provide for operating costs and capital expenditures under different provisions. The Utilities expect that most of their operating expenses attributable to Hurricane Sandy will be deferred for recovery as a regulatory asset under their electric rate plans. The Utilities’ capital expenditures, up to specified levels, are reflected in rates under their rate plans. In addition, CECONY's rate plans, provide that it may request in its next base rate filings to recover additional capital expenditures (provided the company can justify the need for and reasonableness of, and its inability to reasonably avoid, such additional capital expenditures). Under its New York electric rate plan and subject to certain limitations, O&R defers as a regulatory asset the revenue requirement impact of the amount by which actual average net utility plant is different than the average net utility plant reflected in rates. Under the New York rate plans, the Utilities also may petition the NYSPSC for authorization to defer extraordinary expenditures not otherwise addressed in their rate plans. The Utilities’ New York electric rate plans include provisions for revenue decoupling, as a result of which delivery revenues generally are not affected by changes in delivery volumes from levels assumed when rates were approved. The provisions of the Utilities' New York electric plans that impose penalties for operating performance provide for exceptions for major storms and catastrophic events beyond the control of the companies, including natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods. The Utilities expect the NYSPSC to investigate the preparation and performance of New York utilities in connection with Hurricane Sandy.