Press Release

PUC Approves Settlement for Substantially Smaller than Requested Increase in Duquesne Light Customer Rates

Published on 12/16/2021

Filed under: Electric

PUC Approves Settlement for Substantially Smaller than Requested Increase in Duquesne Light Customer Rates

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a settlement in a rate increase case filing by Duquesne Light Company (Duquesne Light) that will result in substantially smaller increase in electric distribution rates for Duquesne Light’s 590,000 customers, located in parts of Allegheny and Beaver counties.

The Commission voted 3-0 today to approve the joint petition for settlement, which allows for a $74.2 million increase in annual operating revenues for Duquesne Light – compared to the $115 million per year revenue increase that was originally sought by the utility.

Under the terms of the settlement, the average residential customer using 600 kWh per month of electricity will see a monthly bill increase of $4.23 (4.23%).  Duquesne Light’s original proposal would have increased those same customer bills by $7.73 (7.72%). 

The joint settlement was supported by Duquesne Light, the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, the Coalition for Affordable Utility Services and Energy Efficiency in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Weatherization Providers Task Force, ChargePoint, Inc., and the National Resources Defense Council.

Additional Consumer Issues

Under the settlement, Duquesne Light will contribute an additional $1 million per year to the utility’s hardship fund for the next two years and will increase the maximum household income eligible for the hardship fund program during that period – with a special emphasis on consumers who are at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Duquesne Light will also increase annual funding for its Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) by $400,000 per year, for the next four years.

The maximum credit threshold for Duquesne Light’s customer assistance program will be increased by the same percentage as the change in residential rates included in the settlement.

Additionally, the settlement includes pilot projects related to electric vehicle charging under Duquesne Light’s Transportation Electrification program, including programs for the public, workplaces, multi-unit dwellings, fleet and transit system charging – along with specific outreach to low-income communities and providers who serve those communities.

About the PUC

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

# # #

Docket No.: R-2021-3024750

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov