Duquesne Light Co. has filed a request for a base-rate increase with the state Public Utility Commission that would take effect Sept. 21.

If approved, the increase would add $8 to the monthly bill of a residential customer using 600 kilowatt-hours per month, resulting in an average bill of $90.60, the company said.

The filing is Duquesne Light's first request for a base-rate increase in four years. The company said the $87.3 million overall increase would be used to pay for infrastructure upgrades, energy assistance programs for low-income customers, and employee pensions.

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