About this book:

Discover the remarkable journey of Consolidated Edison, a company whose story is inextricably linked with the rise of New York City itself. From the flickering glow of the city's first gaslights in the early 19th century to the vast, complex electric grid powering modern Manhattan, this book chronicles Con Edison's transformation through technological revolutions, intense market rivalries, and sweeping corporate consolidations. Witness how a company born from a "War of the Gas Companies" shrewdly embraced Thomas Edison's electric revolution, becoming the world's largest electrical service provider and, ultimately, a diversified energy giant delivering gas, electricity, and the planet's largest commercial steam system.

Explore Con Edison's resilience through major blackouts and devastating storms, revealing how each crisis spurred vital investments in infrastructure hardening and smart grid technologies, ensuring continuous reliability for millions. Delve into its strategic shifts, including the controversial nuclear chapter at Indian Point and the profound restructuring brought by deregulation, which repositioned Con Edison from a power generator to predominantly an energy distributor. This compelling narrative also highlights Con Edison's enduring financial strength as a "Dividend King" on the NYSE and its deep commitment to corporate responsibility, from fostering diversity and inclusion within its workforce to spearheading ambitious clean energy initiatives toward a net-zero future.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Chronicles the evolution of New York City's energy supply, from early gaslights and the intense 'War of Currents' to the widespread adoption of electricity and the strategic formation of Consolidated Edison.
• Details Con Edison's pivotal role in electrifying Manhattan, including the establishment of the Pearl Street Station and the development of a sophisticated electric grid and the world's largest commercial steam system.
• Explores the company's resilience in the face of major challenges, including the 1970s financial crisis, significant blackouts, and devastating storms like Superstorm Sandy, highlighting its commitment to infrastructure hardening and emergency response.
• Explains the impact of deregulation on Con Edison's business model, transforming it from a power generator to primarily an energy distributor, and its strategic expansion through acquisitions like Orange & Rockland Utilities.
• Highlights Con Edison's modern commitment to sustainability, clean energy, and social responsibility, including its ambitious net-zero goals, investments in a next-generation smart grid, and initiatives for green job training and community engagement.

Who's It For:

This book is ideal for anyone interested in the history of urban development, energy infrastructure, and corporate evolution, particularly in the context of New York City. It will appeal to students of business history, urban planning, and environmental studies, as well as those seeking to understand the complexities of utility operations, deregulation, and the transition to clean energy. Investors and financial enthusiasts interested in stable, long-standing companies with a strong dividend history will also find the financial insights valuable.