DLC’s Community, Fleet & Transit Charging Program Receives 2026 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence

DLC was recently recognized by the Shapiro Administration with the 2026 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for its Community, Fleet & Transit Charging Program. This initiative aims to lower barriers to cost-saving electric vehicles (EVs) by increasing the availability of charging throughout Allegheny and Beaver counties.

This statewide honor, presented by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), celebrated 26 projects that are improving air and water quality; reducing pollution and waste; restoring ecosystems; and strengthening environmental stewardship across the commonwealth. ​

DLC team members were in attendance to accept the award on the company’s behalf during a ceremony on June 25 in Harrisburg, hosted by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

"The Environmental Excellence honorees embody the innovation, collaboration and commitment that are helping protect Pennsylvania's air, land and water while shaping a more sustainable future for the commonwealth," said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. "These projects show what's possible when local organizations, schools, businesses and volunteers come together to solve environmental challenges and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards."

Driving Cleaner Transportation Across Our Region

DLC customers can save up to $1,650 annually on fuel and maintenance when they make the switch from gas to electric. The Community, Fleet & Transit Charging Program is helping to make the choice to go electric even easier by reducing barriers to EV charging throughout DLC’s service territory.

Through incentives, technical guidance and coordinated planning, the program supports customers, businesses and communities as they deploy charging infrastructure while strengthening grid readiness and advancing clean energy goals.

Building on the success of its 2022–2024 program cycle, which supported the installation of 319 charging ports, the current program aims to deploy 500 additional charging ports by 2027.

During the 2025 award period, DLC supported 15 projects that added 141 charging ports across municipal fleets, electric school buses, multifamily housing, healthcare facilities, construction companies and taxi services. These installations are expected to support at least 116 fleet vehicles while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 5,300 tons each year.

Beyond reducing emissions, the program also delivers meaningful public health benefits. The addition of electric school buses helps reduce diesel exhaust exposure for students and surrounding communities. The expanded charging infrastructure also makes it easier for customers across DLC’s service territory to adopt electric transportation.

"This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our employees who are helping customers, businesses and communities transition to affordable, cleaner transportation," said Sarah Olexsak, general manager of electrification solutions. "Every charging project we support expands access to cost-saving EVs while strengthening our grid and bringing us one step closer to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future."