Duquesne Light

I contacted Duquesne Light (DQE) at 108Pm today, 6/22/11, to voice our extreme disappointment in the pruning of the blue spruce tree in our front yard, talked to Linda at 412- 393-7100. She outlined the specifications the contractor was to follow ( pruning back branches 2 feet from the electric lines). I explained the specifications were not followed. She was sympathetic, telling me how her cedar tree had been disfigured by her electric company ( how does that help her customers?). She emailed someone,,, said they would get back to us. Couldn't tell me when. I asked her who owned Duquesne Light,,, she stated DQE had been purchased "a few yrs ago" by McQuerie Co., an Australian Co. I contacted Sue at the local phone # of the tree service company. She explained the Duquesne Light contracted work was done by a division of the tree service company with offices in OHIO. I told her I would be writing up an Angie's review... She supplied a phone # for the tree service company: 412-861-7146- Dan Oshestsky(?). I believe I left a message at that phone. Also given a # 412-393-7835 Bruce Woods at DQE. Sue also gave me a 330-673-9515 for the tree service company office in Ohio. Our impressions --- DQE, being a monopoly electric distributor, could care less. The tree company -( being interested in keeping the DQE contract) is pruning coniferous and deciduous trees with no regard for appearance of the butchered trees. Get it done fast,,,, hack it off any old way. Once the damage is done,,, it's done. The property owners are left with a mangled tree and no recourse. Most property owners are at work when this "pruning" is being done. We didn't plant the tree, but it is healthy and supplies some shade, what was done today is reprehensible...I can document what was done. It's my impression since DQE is now owned by an Australian Co.,, customer service is no longer a priority. FOLLOWUP W?MORE DETAIL:::::::: On June 29, 2011, Bruce Woods from Duquesne Light and Dan Otshefski(?) from Davey Tree (Ohio corp. office-utilities 330-673-9515) came to our property. During a previous phone conversation, Mr. Woods advised me I should have called the phone # listed on the notice with concerns. Unless John had chased after Jeff S., we would have had no written notice. We stayed home purposely to work with the crew, as we had the last time it was pruned. Crew #10 showed up on 6/22/11, Bill asked how much they were going to trim. The response was 18inches. When they?d removed 18inches, they said they were ?breaking for lunch.? Then they would ?clean up?. It was implied the cutting was done. Bill and I heard more cutting. We ran outside to see our blue spruce butchered. I eventually obtained Mr. Woods phone #. He and Dan O. were to come yesterday, which he changed to today, June 29 at 1 PM. Woods called at 1045am, said they were in the neighborhood, could they come right over. We agreed to another change -1130am. They looked at the tree from their Davey truck. They sauntered over to confront us. I had my hands on my hips. From all prior interactions, we?d received a ?if you don?t like it, stick it up your nose? attitude. Today was no different. The first words uttered by Mr. Woods, who did all the talking, ?Were your lights on this morning??. Duquesne Light has a monopoly on electrical delivery. We, as consumers, pay for that service, and employees? compensation (always on time in our case). The majority of the trees in our neighborhood pruned this month look as bad or worse than ours. Much more than ?four years? growth? has been removed. Mr. Woods started to leave (because I pointed my finger at him), stating his only concern was our tree. We have to look at the mess Davey left in our neighborhood. Mr. Woods claims our tree, along with the others in the area, have been trimmed properly. ?What do we want ?? he stated. We want electricity delivered and neat tree pruning. His attitude and lack of remedial suggestions suits his personality, and evidently, McQuerie Co.?s (owner of Duquesne Light) customer service policy.