PITTSBURGH \u2014 More than half a million people lost power when storms hit our region last spring. And now, the state is done analyzing how electric companies prepared and responded to the storm. <\/p>\n
RELATED COVERAGE >>>\u2018Unprecedented\u2019 storm kills 3, knocks out power to hundreds of thousands in Western Pennsylvania<\/a><\/p>\n In its report, Pennsylvania\u2019s Public Utility Commission found that the widespread outages stressed Duquesne Light Company in multiple ways.<\/p>\n For example, it took the utility company 10 days to restore power to all its customers, which PUC says is the same amount of time it took electric companies to restore service after Hurricane Sandy. <\/p>\n PHOTOS: Severe storms leave behind significant damage throughout Pittsburgh region<\/a><\/p>\n PUC also found that DLC didn\u2019t have a sufficient number of linemen, struggled with road closures and didn\u2019t answer nearly 10% of customer calls about outages. <\/p>\n The report also said DLC prematurely sent out estimated restoration times and didn\u2019t deliver.<\/p>\n In all, the 170-page report outlined 25 findings and 10 recommendations. <\/p>\n Some of the recommendations for DLC include scaling up its storm response workforce, reviewing its storm response process, reviewing call center performance and improving its storm outage prediction models. <\/p>\n Back in September, DLC officials announced changes based on their own review<\/a> of the company\u2019s storm response. Some of those changes included: <\/p>\n Additional employee trainingClearer communication about restoration timesHandling more customer calls <\/p>\n RELATED COVERAGE >>> Duquesne Light Company outlines changes following massive unprecedented storm in April<\/a><\/p>\n In a statement, DLC highlights that PUC\u2019s report aligns with many of its own findings. <\/p>\n \u201cThese improvements will directly enhance reliability and customer experience during major storms, and include upgrading technology and grid infrastructure, forecasting tools and customer communications; and investing in workforce training and readiness,\u201d the statement says in part. <\/p>\n DLC says it remains committed to improving service for customers, particularly during severe weather. <\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n