Duquesne Light Utility Resources

Duquesne Light
Bill Breakdown

Duquesne Light

1 (412) 393-7100

dlccustomerservice@duqlight.com

duquesnelight.com

Duquesne Light
Outage Info

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About Duquesne Light

  • ✓ Duquesne Light Company (DLC) is a regulated electric distribution utility serving the Pittsburgh region in southwestern Pennsylvania.
  • ✓ DLC delivers electricity and maintains local infrastructure (power lines, poles, and substations) for homes and businesses.
  • ✓ For emergencies like downed power lines, call DLC’s 24/7 emergency number: 412-393-7000.
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Duquesne Light Company (DLC) is an electric utility serving the Pittsburgh region and southwestern Pennsylvania, including Allegheny and Beaver counties. Duquesne Light Company is an investor-owned utility, a subsidiary of Duquesne Light Holdings, Inc., and was founded by inventor George Westinghouse. DLC manages over 7,700 miles of power lines, 430 substations, and more than 216,000 poles for electricity delivery, serving an area of approximately 812 square miles with about 1,385 employees. Approximately 90% of DLC's customer base is residential. DLC offers services including electric distribution, street lighting, and energy efficiency solutions. DLC supports clean energy initiatives, including EV charging rebates up to $3,000 for qualifying vehicles, a program launched in 2018 to promote electric vehicle adoption. Duquesne Light is committed to playing a leading role in the region's clean energy transition and aims to create a clean energy future for all by delivering exceptional results today and harnessing opportunities for tomorrow.

he CEO of Duquesne Light Company provides strategic leadership to advance these initiatives and ensure reliable service for the Pittsburgh region and southwestern Pennsylvania. Duquesne Light Company (DLC) is an electric distribution utility serving the Pittsburgh region in southwestern Pennsylvania. DLC delivers electricity to homes and businesses through its local network and is responsible for maintaining key equipment such as power lines, poles, transformers, and substations. DLC does not sell electricity supply plans—customers can choose a supplier where available, while DLC continues to provide electric delivery, respond to outages, and support public safety.

If you see downed power lines or other hazardous electrical conditions, keep your distance and report it immediately using DLC’s emergency line. Duquesne Light crews work year-round to inspect, repair, and modernize electric systems—especially ahead of severe weather and periods of high demand like winter heating and summer cooling season—so customers can stay informed, connected, and protected.

🏛️ Programs & Resources

Duquesne Light's Programs, Resources & Community Incentives

Duquesne Light Company (DLC) supports customers with tools for electric service, account management, outage reporting, and safety resources—plus energy-saving programs that can help households and businesses manage demand.

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ELECTRIC SERVICE, ACCOUNTS & BILLING

Duquesne Light provides essential electric service tools that help customers manage their account information, pay a bill, and track usage online. Customers can:

  • Create or access an online account
  • View electric usage trends (including seasonal winter and summer demand)
  • Pay bills, set up budget billing plans, and manage money
  • Pay bills, set up budget or payment options (when available), and manage alerts
  • Enroll in outage and restoration notifications

Duquesne Light customer service representatives are available by phone and online to assist with account questions, service changes, and scam awareness. Customers should always assume communications about payments or enrollment come from official Duquesne Light channels.

SAFETY, WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES & STORM RESPONSE

Safety is a top priority for Duquesne Light—especially during severe weather, winter storms, and high-wind events. In anticipation of storms, Duquesne Light Company has extra crews on standby to respond to power outages efficiently and safely. Current forecasts indicate that dry and powdery snow is less likely to cause stress on trees and electrical equipment, so widespread power outages are not expected, but customers should remain prepared in anticipation of changing conditions.

To be prepared, customers are advised to:

  • Use generators outdoors and keep them far from buildings for safety.
  • Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors and loved ones during severe weather events, and remember to be prepared for medical emergencies.

If customers encounter downed power lines, they should:

  • Treat the line as energized
  • Stay away and protect children, family members, and pets
  • Report the issue immediately using Duquesne Light’s outage reporting tools or phone number

During a power outage, customers can report outages, track restoration status, and receive updates online. Crews work to restore power as quickly and safely as conditions allow.

ELECTRIC SYSTEM MODERNIZATION & SMART ENERGY

Duquesne Light continues investing in electric system upgrades to improve reliability and meet increased demand. Efforts can include:

  • Upgrading power lines, substations, and other electric infrastructure
  • Using smart grid tools to detect outages and system issues faster
  • Improving restoration performance during storms and seasonal peaks

These investments help support electrification trends—like electric heating, cooling, EVs, and other high-use technologies—while keeping service reliable.

Energy Services, Safety & System Modernization

  • ✓Smart grid upgrades
  • ✓Storm response & restoration
  • ✓Energy Efficency Programs
  • ✓Customer support (account, outages, billing)

Energy Efficiency & Customer Programs

Duquesne Light supports smart energy choices that help customers reduce demand, save money, and stay informed. Programs typically focus on energy efficiency upgrades for homes and commercial buildings, seasonal guidance for winter heating and summer AC use, and tools to help households manage energy demand and budgets. Customers can learn about available plans, rebates, and efficiency details on Duquesne Light’s official website.
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ENERGY EFFICIENCY & CUSTOMER PROGRAMS

Duquesne Light supports smart energy choices that help customers reduce demand, save money, and stay informed. Programs typically focus on:

  • Energy efficiency upgrades for homes and commercial buildings
  • Seasonal guidance for winter heating and summer AC use
  • Tools to help households manage energy demand and budgets

Customers can learn about available plans, rebates, and efficiency details on Duquesne Light’s official website.

COMMUNITY & LEGACY

As a long-standing energy company rooted in Philadelphia, Duquesne Light remains active in the communities it serves. Through outreach, education, and partnerships, Duquesne Light supports families, children, and neighborhoods—helping customers stay safe, informed, and energized.

From its early history as the Philadelphia Electric Company to today’s modern electric utility, Duquesne Light’s legacy reflects a commitment to reliable service, customer protection, and powering daily life across the region.

Duquesne Light Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Pennsylvania a deregulated energy market?
Yes. Since January 2011, Pennsylvania has operated as a deregulated energy market. This allows customers to choose a third-party energy supplier for electricity or natural gas supply, while Duquesne Light continues to deliver the energy, maintain the system, and handle outages and emergencies.
What happens if I don’t choose a third-party supplier?
If a customer does not choose a third-party supplier, they receive default service from Duquesne Light. In this case, Duquesne Light purchases energy on the customer’s behalf through competitive market auctions and passes the cost through without profit markup.
What is Duquesne Light’s Price-to-Compare?
Duquesne Light’s Price-to-Compare (PTC) reflects the cost of energy supply under default service. It is designed to be a pass-through rate with no profit markup and uses a hedging program intended to reduce price volatility over time.
Why have some customers reported billing issues recently?
Duquesne Light introduced a new billing system during 2024–2025, which led to customer complaints related to billing delays, processing complications, and account adjustments. Duquesne Light has acknowledged the challenges and continues working to stabilize billing operations and improve customer experience.
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Has Duquesne Light faced criticism from customers?
Yes. Duquesne Light has faced criticism related to high energy costs, customer service responsiveness, and billing system issues, particularly during periods of rising electricity prices and system transitions.
How much are Duquesne Light residential rates increasing?
As of 2025, residential electricity rates served by Duquesne Light have increased by nearly 50% over a five-year period, contributing to higher household energy costs—especially during peak summer cooling and winter heating seasons.
What assistance programs does Duquesne Light offer for customers struggling to pay bills?
Duquesne Light offers several assistance programs, including:
  • Customer Assistance Program (CAP) for low-income customers
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for heating costs
  • Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF) for additional bill support
  • Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) to help reduce energy usage
Duquesne Light also partners with United Way through a $10 million Customer Relief Fund, later expanded with an additional $2.5 million, to provide emergency grants for limited- and moderate-income households.
How many customers does Duquesne Light serve?
Duquesne Light serves approximately:
  • 1.6 million electric customers
  • Over 511,000 natural gas customers
This makes Duquesne Light the largest combination electric and natural gas utility in Pennsylvania.
Where does Duquesne Light operate?
Duquesne Light operates in southeastern Pennsylvania, covering a franchise utility area of approximately 2,100 square miles and serving a population of about 3.8 million people.
  • Electric service includes all of Philadelphia and parts of surrounding counties
  • Natural gas service covers all of Delaware County and most of Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery counties
What should I do during a power outage?
If the power goes out:
  • Check outside to see if your entire block is dark to confirm it’s a utility outage
  • Report outages online at Duquesne Light.com/outages or by calling 1-800-841-4141
  • Track outage status and restoration updates through Duquesne Light’s outage tools
What should I do if I see downed power lines or smell natural gas?
Leave the area immediately and do not attempt to investigate. Then call Duquesne Light right away. Downed power lines and natural gas odors should always be treated as emergencies. Duquesne Light representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle emergency calls.
Does Duquesne Light offer energy efficiency programs?
Yes. Duquesne Light offers several programs, including Duquesne Light Smart Ideas, which provides:
  • Rebates for energy-efficient appliances
  • HVAC tune-ups
  • ENERGY STAR® water heaters and appliances
  • LED lighting discounts
  • Home Energy Assessments to identify wasted energy and improve comfort
Why does energy use peak in summer and winter?
Duquesne Light electric sales typically peak:
  • In summer due to air-conditioning demand
  • In winter due to electric heating loads
Natural gas sales are generally highest during winter due to heating needs.
Does Duquesne Light invest in renewable energy?
Duquesne Light generates approximately 0.14% of its energy portfolio from solar energy and purchases enough solar power to supply about 2,000 residential households.
Does Duquesne Light own natural gas facilities?
Yes. Duquesne Light owns:
  • A propane-air plant in Chester, PA with a storage capacity of 1,980,000 gallons
  • A liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facility in West Conshohocken, PA with a capacity of approximately 1.2 billion cubic feet
What infrastructure investments has Duquesne Light made?
Duquesne Light has invested billions of dollars to improve infrastructure and system reliability. This includes:
  • Over $7.8 billion invested over five years to enhance storm resilience and service quality
  • Historical capital expenditures of approximately $400 million annually, with most funding directed toward electric operations
What are Duquesne Light’s electric system specifications?
Duquesne Light’s distribution system operates at voltages including:
  • 2,400 / 4,160 volts (wye)
  • 7,620 / 13,200 volts (wye)
When was Duquesne Light founded?
Duquesne Light was originally founded as the Philadelphia Electric Company in 1881 and was incorporated in 1929. It became part of Exelon Corporation in 2000 following its merger with Unicom Corp.
Does Duquesne Light generate electricity?
Historically, Duquesne Light delivered 39.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2008, generating $5.5 billion in revenue. Today, Duquesne Light primarily functions as a distribution utility, purchasing energy on behalf of customers rather than owning large-scale generation assets.
Should I consider backup power for my home?
Yes. Emergency power systems can include:
  • Portable generators for short outages
  • Automatic standby generators for whole-home coverage
  • Battery backup systems
Backup power can keep refrigerators, medical equipment, heating or cooling systems, and essential electronics running during extended outages. A licensed electrical contractor must install a transfer switch for standby generators to prevent backfeeding into Duquesne Light lines. Planning ahead with a trusted contractor before storms provides a major advantage during outages.