The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Nov. 7 approved a joint settlement with Duquesne Light Co. that regulators said includes substantially smaller changes in electric distribution rates for the company’s customers.
Duquesne Light, which serves more than 600,000 customers in parts of Allegheny and Beaver counties, also agreed to make enhancements to its consumer assistance programs (CAPs) that will increase accessibility, coordination, and communication with its most economically vulnerable customers, according to the settlement.
The PUC voted 5-0 to adopt the recommended decision of PUC Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge Mark Hoyer and approved the joint settlement, which is supported by 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 Inc., Walmart Inc., the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, and Duquesne Light.