After the Storm: Preparing for the Future
Policy Committee May 21, 2025
O’HARA TOWNSHIP, May 21 – More than 750,000 households lost power in the wake of severe weather on April 29 in Allegheny County and the surrounding region, and numerous residents continue to search for answers why energy providers could not restore power for days or even weeks. Sustained winds of 80 mph snapped trees and downed wires during the April storm, and more than 750,000 combined customers of FirstEnergy and Duquesne Light Company lost power during the storms across multiple counties, with some customers going without power for 15 days. The House Majority Policy Committee and state Rep. Mandy Steele hosted the hearing to examine the lengthy power outages. 
- Host: Rep. Mandy Steele (D-Allegheny)
- Testifiers:
- Kristy Stone- Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, Duquesne Light Company
- John Hilderbrand- Vice President of Operations, Duquesne Light Company
- Abe Amawi- Greensburg Area Director of Operations, West Penn Power – FirstEnergy
- Joshua Ash- Director ofEnvironmental Law & Policy Clinic, Clinical Assistant Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law
Agenda + Testimony
Media Release + News Coverage
- Steele, Policy Committee ask energy providers about power outages, May 21, 2025
- KDKA News, Pa. lawmaker, power companies hold hearing following severe weather, prolonged outages, May 21, 2025
- WPXI-TV, Power companies questioned at public hearing after unprecedented storm, May 21, 2025
- Trib Live, Duquesne Light, West Penn Power officials grilled at hearing over days-long power outages, May 21, 2025
- WESA, State lawmakers question Pittsburgh-area utilities on April 29 storm response, power outages, May 22, 2025
Video + Photos