Duquesne Light Co. recently contributed $500,000 to the Emergency Action Fund, a joint effort between The Pittsburgh Foundation, Heinz Endowments, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Hillman Family Foundations, and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The fund helps vulnerable people in Allegheny and Beaver counties affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by assisting with childcare, lost wages, and living expenses.
“In the last week, heroic contributors have stepped forward from across the Pittsburgh region to further empower the fund to lessen the damage inflicted by the COVID-19 virus,” Lisa Schroeder, Pittsburgh Foundation president and CEO, said. “A prime example is Duquesne Light’s amazing contribution. In this act of generosity, the company’s leaders and employees are ensuring that more assistance gets out quickly to those most in need. This underscores the business sector’s long record of support for the community in times of adversity.”
Also in response to the pandemic, the company will waive customer late fees and discontinue service shutoffs until at least May 1; equipment will be inspected at critical facilities, such as hospitals; field operations have been expanded to around-the-clock; paid time off and special leave policies for employees have been implemented; work assignments have been given to office-based employees and social-distancing policies have been put in place for all other employees.