Well before the first Earth Day in 1970, Duquesne Light Company (DLC) pioneered ways to protect the environment.
While we no longer operate power stations, we helped improve air quality by installing the first full-scale, plant-wide scrubber systems in the nation during the 1970s and, more recently, we were nationally recognized for our innovative solution to reducing nitrogen oxide emissions.
We proved that fly ash -- once considered a "waste" by-product -- could be put to good use as fill for highway embankments, and used more than 350,000 tons of it on the East Street Valley Expressway, north of Pittsburgh.
We have been recognized by the Allegheny County Health Department as one of the first companies in the county to practice pollution prevention. Through the county's Enviro-Star program, our Manchester, McKeesport and Penn Hills facilities were designated as pollution prevention partners because of their successful strategies to reduce hazardous wastes and promote recycling.
Since 1999, Duquesne Light has been an active member in the SF6 Emission Reduction Partnership for Electric Power Systems. This voluntary effort includes national power system owners, in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to reduce Greenhouse Gases from electrical equipment containing sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Duquesne Light is committed to the continual reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions.
We also are active in local environmental efforts, including the Ohio River Sweep.
Environmental Protection
Duquesne Light Company maintains Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans for Company-owned and customer-qualifying sites containing oil-filled equipment (transformers, breakers, etc.).
An SPCC plan contains operating procedures that assist in preventing oil spills, that discuss control measures installed to prevent an oil spill from reaching navigable waters, and that describes countermeasures to contain, clean up, and mitigate the effects of an oil spill that reaches navigable waters.
In accordance with EPA regulations, SPCC plans are reviewed and evaluated at least once every five years. In addition, SPCC plans are updated within six months of any major change in the facility design, construction, operation, or maintenance that materially affects the potential for a discharge.
Safe, reliable electric service and environmental stewardship are leading objectives of DLC. Proper maintenance of Company-owned and customer substations is essential to accomplish these objectives.