Duquesne Light Driving Sustainable Change and Growth in the Pittsburgh Region

By Duquesne Light - Sponsored Content

August 18, 2020

Duquesne Light Company (DLC) is committed to more than keeping the lights on. As it seeks to create a more dynamic and sustainable future for the community, DLC and its 1,600 employees are collaborating with community partners to drive sustainable change and growth in the surrounding communities.

Commitment to STEM Education

Through the Duquesne Light Company Center for STEM Education and Career Development at the Carnegie Science Center (CSC), which opened in 2018, DLC inspires today’s youth to become the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) workforce of tomorrow. Even during the pandemic, DLC continues to support the CSC’s virtual STEM activities. Most recently, two of DLC’s female engineers participated in a Facebook livestream event designed to encourage young girls to pursue STEM-related careers.

DLC also is partnering with the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) as it expands workforce development opportunities across its campuses in southwestern Pennsylvania and prepares local students for careers in high-demand fields, including the many skilled craft positions available at DLC.

Helping the Community Grow and Thrive

In June, DLC joined the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for the virtual groundbreaking of the North Promenade Rehabilitation project at Allegheny Commons in Pittsburgh’s North Side. “At Duquesne Light, we are committed to helping our communities thrive and establishing places where our customers and their families feel welcome and safe,” said Katie Davis, vice president of External Affairs, DLC. “As a company, we always put safety first and think about ways we can create safer and more resilient communities.” DLC committed $500,000 toward this project to be used for safety and lighting improvements at the oldest park in the City of Pittsburgh.

In response to the pandemic, DLC provided immediate relief to the community by making the first and largest corporate contribution of $500,000 to the Emergency Action Fund held by The Pittsburgh Foundation. More than 300 grants were provided from this fund, supporting emergency service providers and nonprofit organizations serving on the front lines of recovery. Employees also raised more than $60,000 for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, including a company match, used to purchase up to 300,000 meals for individuals and families in need.

This year alone, DLC has donated close to $2 million to nonprofit organizations that support its nearly 600,000 customers throughout Allegheny and Beaver counties.

Employee Volunteerism

DLC employees pride themselves on being selfless in serving the community, both on the job and through volunteerism. Last year, employees volunteered more than 3,500 hours, a commitment that has continued this year. Recently, employees volunteered with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to distribute food to more than 300 families in Beaver County and employees delivered food to more than 200 senior citizens in Allegheny County at the end of May.

Last weekend, employees supported the “Connecting Kids” technology drive in partnership with the Bus Stops Here Foundation and WPXI’s 11 Cares program to provide Pittsburgh-area students with the devices they need before returning to school this fall, whether in person or virtually.

For more than 140 years, Duquesne Light has been a proud partner in the Pittsburgh community. Through safe and reliable delivery of electricity, community partnerships, and volunteerism, the company is committed to helping the region emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever before