Duquesne Light Company Reaches Stakeholder Settlement in Proposed Rate Increase
If approved by the PUC, increase would support continued efforts to improve service reliability and operational excellence while protecting economically vulnerable customers
On Friday, Aug. 16, Duquesne Light Company (DLC) filed a settlement petition with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) seeking approval to increase base distribution rates to support ongoing investments in service reliability and grid modernization projects. If approved, the new rates would go into effect on or before Jan. 1, 2025, and would be DLC’s first base distribution rate increases since 2022.
The proposed settlement was agreed to by several key stakeholders, including consumer, small-business and low-income advocates, with no opposition from any active party. The administrative law judge will now render a recommended decision, with a final decision on DLC’s proposal expected by the PUC this December.
Under the settlement:
- Residential customers using 600 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month could see the base distribution rate portion of their bill increase from $130.67 to $135.88, or 3.99%.
- Commercial customers using 10,000 kWh per month could see the base distribution rate portion of their bill increase from $1,207.43 to $1,240.36, or 2.73%.
- Industrial customers using 200,000 kWh per month could expect to see the base distribution rate portion of their bill increase from $19,421.64 to $20,032.56, or 3.15%.
This additional revenue would enable DLC to support essential investments required to deliver safe, reliable electric distribution service while securing the vibrancy, prosperity and competitiveness of the region that DLC serves. As increased severe weather has amplified a greater need for resiliency, DLC aims to strengthen the electric grid with more durable equipment and advanced technologies.
Some investments included in DLC’s proposal are:
- Constructing a new substation in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood that will provide additional capacity, increased reliability, resiliency gains and electrical flexibility in how DLC serves the community.
- Helping customers make informed decisions about electric vehicles and empowering them to experience the benefits of electric mobility through increased charging infrastructure as well as new incentives and rate structures.
- Enhancing programs and resources to support low-income customers.
Learn more about how DLC is investing in the future.