New Jobs, Expanded Local Businesses Goal of Duquesne Light Economic Development Initiative

New Jobs, Expanded Local Businesses Goal of Duquesne Light Economic
Development Initiative

Utility Offering Discounted Electric Rates for Expanding Companies Adding New
Jobs

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Duquesne Light today announced
a new economic development program designed to encourage commercial and
industrial customers to expand and add new jobs in the company's service
territory by providing discounted electric prices.

Available to a maximum of 50 megawatts (MW) per year, the program will support
expanding commercial and industrial customers by offering a discount of up to
$3 per MW of new load for up to three years at a new or expanded facility. To
qualify, customers must add at least 10 MW of new or expanded electrical load,
and create two new full-time jobs per MW of new load. An applicant also can
qualify if they demonstrate that the new or expanded load, if less than 10 MW,
has other significant economic development benefits. A complete list of
criteria and an online application can be found by clicking the "Helping Our
Region Grow" graphic at www.duquesnelight.com.

The discount, which will be credited toward the customer's monthly
distribution charge, will begin when usage associated with the expanded load
and associated job creation has occurred. The program is scheduled to run
through March 1, 2013, unless Pennsylvania adopts a statewide economic
development program prior to the end date.

"Our success as a company is directly connected to the success of the
communities we serve," said Morgan O'Brien, CEO of Duquesne Light. "We work
very hard with various stakeholders to ensure Pennsylvania can compete with
other states for new business and expansion of local businesses that provide
new family-supporting jobs. It is our hope that this new program will spur
industries to think about how they can grow and therefore add to the economic
vitality of this region."

Last year, Duquesne Light joined major Pittsburgh-based steel-producers U.S.
Steel and Allegheny Technologies in support of new state legislation that
would permit utilities to offer large industrial customers long-term,
fixed-rate electricity contracts. The new legislation is designed to help
large industrial users better predict and manage their operating costs,
preserving and, over time, potentially adding new jobs.

About Duquesne Light Company

Duquesne Light Company is a leader in the transmission and distribution of
electric energy, offering superior customer service and reliability to more
than half a million customers throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.

SOURCE Duquesne Light

Joseph Vallarian of Duquesne Light, +1-412-232-6848