Duquesne Light Company ESG report highlights clean energy transition

On Thursday, Duquesne Light Company (DLC) released its inaugural environmental, social and governance (ESG) report showing the company is positioning the Pittsburgh region for a transition to a clean energy future.

The report – “Advancing a Clean Energy Future for All” – is DLC’s most comprehensive ESG report to date, and builds on previous disclosures to highlight information on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as environmental performance.

“For more than 100 years, DLC has been deeply involved in our local communities by serving and adapting to our customers’ needs and conducting business safely and responsibly,” said Kevin Walker, president and CEO of DLC. “We are proud to formally demonstrate our commitment to ESG in this inaugural report, which reflects the contributions of every DLC employee and our external partners in delivering a clean energy future while acknowledging the importance of safety, access, reliability and equity in the essential service we provide today.”

The report said in 2022 the company had increased energy efficiency, electrification efforts and access to renewables in several ways including reducing more than 40,000 idling hours, leading to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution; adding 12 new electric Ford 150 Lightning to DLC’s fleet, bring the total to 50 EVs; contributing more than $2 million to charitable organizations and contributing more than 4,000 hours of service by participating at 170 volunteer events.

Additionally, the company said it is dedicated to long-term success with goals to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent by 2027; invest nearly $2 billion in transmission and distribution infrastructure by 2027; contribute at least $5 million to local nonprofits through 2027; and electrify at least 30 percent of the company’s fleet by 2030.

“We are proud of the progress we have made and recognize the need to continue doing more to support a clean energy future,” said Christine Waller, vice president of communications and corporate responsibility at DLC. “The key metrics we solidified in 2022 will ensure that we continue to look at ESG risks and opportunities as part of our business model and as a way of measuring our overall impact. This report, along with other tools, will help us demonstrate our commitment to corporate responsibility while holding ourselves accountable for driving performance in areas that are most relevant to our customers and industry.”