Press Release

PUC Seeks Comment on Proposed Settlement with Duquesne Light Regarding Alleged Inadvertent Release of Customer Information

Published on 12/8/2022

Filed under: Electric

Proposed Settlement Reached After Duquesne Light Mailing Allegedly Included Incorrect Customer Names and Account Numbers in April 2022

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued for comment a proposed settlement between Duquesne Light Company (Duquesne Light) and the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement (I&E), following I&E’s informal investigation into Duquesne Light inadvertently releasing wrong customer information in an April 2022 company mailing.

The Commission voted 5-0 to issue for comment the proposed Joint Petition for Approval of Settlement between Duquesne Light and I&E – which began as an informal investigation based on information referred to I&E by the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS).  Shortly after the incident, Duquesne Light voluntarily notified BCS of the information disclosure and issued both email notifications and follow-up notifications via mail to affected customers.

As part of an April mailing to more than 9,000 Duquesne Light customers, approximately one third of the letters displayed wrong customer names and account numbers.  Specifically, the envelope was addressed to the correct customer but the letter inside displayed the incorrect customer name and account number.  Duquesne Light affirmed that the disclosed customer information could not be used for electric generation supplier switching or gaining unauthorized access to a customer’s Duquesne Light account.

Under the conditions of the settlement, Duquesne Light agrees to the following:

• Pay a $12,500 civil penalty, which will not be tax deductible or able to be passed through as an additional charge to Duquesne Light’s customers in Pennsylvania.
  
  
• Memorialize its policies and procedures relating to mailing and confidentiality by February 2023. After the policies and procedures are codified, Duquesne Light will provide written confirmation to I&E and will also provide a copy for I&E’s review.

Interested parties may submit comments, preferably via the Commission’s electronic filing system, within 25 days of publication of this Opinion and Order in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.  An eFile account may be opened free of charge and used through the Commission’s website.

Paper comments may be filed with the PUC’s Secretary’s Bureau at the following address:

     Rosemary Chiavetta, Secretary
     Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
     Commonwealth Keystone Building
     400 North Street
     Harrisburg, PA  17120

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.

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Docket No.:  M-2022-3032647

Contact:

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