Universal-Plum Reliability Project

OVERVIEW

New, updated and reliable infrastructure remains the key to future growth for the community. Duquesne Light Company is planning to build a new 138 kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line from Universal Substation to Plum Substation, which spans approximately five miles in the Municipality of Penn Hills, the Municipality of Monroeville, and the Borough of Plum in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. This new transmission line is needed to meet increased demand for electrical power and to ensure reliable electric service for eastern Allegheny County. The line includes approximately 3.7 miles of 40 self-supporting steel monopoles on concrete foundations and 1.5 miles of underground transmission line equipment.

We realize you may have questions about this important transmission project, and want to be transparent about all the facts. Please review the information found on this webpage and watch the informational video below to learn more about this important reliability project.

TIMING

The project has been split into the four areas below to explain the planned sequence of work. Currently our construction is at 100% for all four areas. We have installed all the new overhead poles and the new overhead wires. The new underground duct bank complete and cabling system installed. The line is now fully tested and operational. The civil crews have removed temporary grading and restored the majority of the right-of-way areas. Note that some landscaping work may occur sporadically this spring in various locations along the right-of-way while crews ensure all areas are restored and stabilized properly.

We want to thank the community for their patience as we added to our infrastructure supporting Penn Hills, Monroeville, Plum and eastern Allegheny County.

AREA	TASK	EST. START DATE	FINISH DATE
1	Right-of-Way Restoration	9/6/21	5/20/22
2	Right-of-Way Restoration	9/17/21	5/20/22
3	Right-of-Way Restoration	10/04/21	5/20/22
4	Right-of-Way Restoration	9/20/21	5/20/22

LOCATION

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Universal to Plum Project?

Duquesne Light Company owns and operates electric transmission facilities at the Universal substation and at the Plum substation in Plum Boro. Duquesne Light refers to the proposed transmission line construction work as the Universal to Plum Project.
The project entails adding 3.7 miles of overhead power lines, including steel monopoles and new conductor.
The project also entails adding 1.5 miles of underground power lines, including concrete encased duct bank, manholes and high voltage underground cable.

Why has Duquesne Light Company taken on this project?

The Universal-Plum project establishes another transmission line between DLC’s Universal and Plum substations. These substations connect DLC’s transmission and distribution systems and transform power from 138-kilovolts to 23-kilovolts, which allows power distribution to homes and businesses in eastern Allegheny County.

The Universal-Plum 138-kilovolt transmission line provides additional capacity to support the delivery of reliable power to customers in an area of growing electrical demand. They also provide an alternative transmission path for power to flow to the Universal and Plum substations when other transmission lines in the area are unavailable for maintenance or in the event of an unplanned outage.

Has this project been reviewed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC)?

Yes. Pursuant to PUC regulations, this project went through a detailed public review at PUC Docket Number A-2018-3000708. The PUC approved the project by Order dated August 8, 2019.

Where will the new structures be located?

The new structures will be located along the route shown above.

Did Duquesne Light Company consider other locations?

Yes. The line siting and review process at the PUC included a siting study, which evaluated several alternative routes. Of these routes, the approved route is the shortest and has the least impacts from an environmental, manmade, cultural, and engineering perspective.

What will the new structures look like?

The new structures will be “weathered” steel monopoles. The new structures are designed to fit into the natural environment. The new structure is a singular, reddish-brown, upright structure.

How tall will the new pole structures be? Why?

The new structures vary in height, but on average, the new structures will be approximately 100 feet high. The Universal to Plum Project must be designed, maintained, and operated in accordance with the National Electric Safety Code, or “NESC.” Current NESC standards provide minimum wire clearances. In example: The NESC provides requirements for the clearance from wire to ground.

Does the Universal to Plum Project result in any danger to nearby residents due to electromagnetic fields?

No. Duquesne Light Company performed a detailed electromagnetic field (“EMF”) analysis as part of the line siting and review process at the PUC. EMF levels will remain very low at the edge of the right-of-way, and will meet or exceed all applicable government, technical, and public health guidelines.

Does Duquesne Light Company anticipate cutting down more trees to complete the Universal to Plum Project?

Yes. In order to construct the line Duquesne Light Co. will maintain vegetation to the extent necessary to ensure the delivery of safe and reliable electric power. DLC may need to perform additional vegetation management to build access roads to its facilities. Duquesne Light Co. will work with customers to do the work in a minimally invasive manner while also meeting its obligation to protect its facilities from vegetation interference.

How will Duquesne Light Company maintain trees and vegetation?

Duquesne Light Company must routinely inspect the growth around its facilities to make sure trees or brush are not interfering with its facilities. Maintaining the vegetation around the transmission facilities is important to prevent trees or other vegetation from causing power outages or reliability issues. To prevent regrowth, Duquesne Light Co. uses herbicides approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and best industry practices.

Contact

Should you have any concerns, please contact the Duquesne Light Company's Customer Service Center at (412) 393-6500 or email specific questions to universalplum@duqlight.com.