Press Release

PUC Approves Duquesne Light’s Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan and Petition for a Distribution System Improvement Charge

Published on 9/15/2016

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved jointly the petitions of Duquesne Light Company (Duquesne Light) for the company’s Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP) and to implement a distribution system improvement charge (DSIC) to help fund and support the accelerated work schedule proposed in the company’s LTIIP.

The Commission voted 5-0 today to approve both petitions, which were filed pursuant to Act 11 of 2012 (Act 11).  Act 11 requires and provides for utilities to file LTIIPs as part of any action to establish a DSIC to recover reasonable and prudent costs incurred to repair, improve or replace certain eligible distribution property that is part of a utility’s distribution system.

On April 15, 2016, Duquesne Light filed its LTIIP petition seeking to accelerate the repair, improvement and replacement of aging infrastructure for the six-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2022.  Subsequently, the company filed a petition on May 26, 2016, for approval of a DSIC to take effect on Oct. 1, 2016.  Duquesne Light estimates an initial DSIC charge of .36 percent of customer distribution charges.

Duquesne Light serves approximately 590,000 customers in portions of Allegheny and Beaver counties.  Previously, the Commission had approved LTIIPs for several other electric and natural gas utilities across Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

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Docket No.: P-2016-2540046

Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov