Press Release

PUC Reminds Consumers of June 18 Registration Deadline for Public Input Hearings on Duquesne Light Rate Increase Request

Published on 6/14/2021

Filed under: Consumer Education Electric

Signup Required by June 18 for Telephonic Hearings on June 22 to Gather Input from Concerned Individuals and Organizations

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today reminded consumers and other concerned parties about the upcoming June 18^th registration deadline for two late-June telephonic hearings to gather public input on a rate increase request filed by Duquesne Light Company (Duquesne Light).

If you wish to testify at the telephonic public input hearing, you must register by Friday, June 18, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.  If you do not pre-register, you may not be able to testify.  Interested persons may register either by telephone or online.  

PUC Public Input Hearings

Two telephonic public input hearings are scheduled for Tuesday, June 22, 2021 – with hearings beginning at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.  PUC Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge Joel Cheskis and Administrative Law Judge John M. Coogan will preside over the hearings.

Signing Up for the Public Input Hearing

To register by phone, contact the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) at 1-800-684-6560 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to provide your name, telephone number, email address, and the topic of your testimony. 

NOTE: If you do not wish to testify, but want to listen to the public input hearing, you may also contact the OCA to obtain the call-in information.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the OCA.

Online registration for a specific hearing date and time is available using the following link:  https://duquesnelight.com/public-input-hearings

Persons registering online will be asked to provide your name, address, email address, telephone number, organization (if any), and to indicate if you plan to testify.  After you register, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with the necessary dial in information for the public input hearing.

Beginning at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, customers will testify in the order they signed up.  If you have any hearing exhibits to which you will refer during the hearing, one copy must be emailed to Judge Cheskis at jcheskis@pa.gov and Judge Coogan at jcoogan@pa.gov, and one copy each must be sent to every other party.  The active service list, with available email addresses, is available on the PUC Hearing Notice for these hearings.  All copies must be received by no later than Monday, June 21, 2021 at 5 p.m.

If you require an interpreter to participate in the hearings, we will make every reasonable effort to have an interpreter present.  Please email Legal Assistant Susan Murray at susmurray@pa.gov at least three business days prior to your hearing to submit your request.

The relay service number for persons who are deaf or hearing-impaired is 1-800-654-5988.

Participating in the Public Input Hearings

People pre-registered to testify during the hearings, along with parties interested in listening to the proceedings, must do the following:

• Dial the toll-free number listed below.
• Enter a PIN number when instructed to do so, also listed below.
• Speak your name when prompted – the telephone system will connect you to the hearing.
  
  Toll-free Bridge Number:          866.566.0649
  Passcode:                                     83345259

Duquesne Light’s Rate Increase Request

The rate changes proposed by Duquesne Light would produce an overall revenue increase of $115 million for electric distribution services.  The proposed request would increase the monthly bill for residential customers using 600 kWh per month from $100.12 to $107.85 (7.72%). 

Duquesne Light provides electric service to approximately 590,000 customers in parts of Allegheny and Beaver counties.

Offering Testimony at a Public Input Hearing

The PUC offers tips on how to participate in a public input hearing, including:

• Prepare what you are going to say beforehand. Even though it is not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.
• Any formal testimony that is offered during the hearing will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.
• Understand that parties in the case may want to ask you a question.
  
  

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Docket No.:  R-2021-3024750

Contact:

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