[Letterhead of David R. High, Esq.]





                                                                   EXHIBIT 5.3



                                          June 24, 2002


DQE, Inc.
411 Seventh Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  15219

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         I am Vice President and General Counsel for DQE, Inc., a corporation
organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ("DQE"). I have
acted as counsel to DQE in connection with the proposed issuance and sale of
15,000,000 shares, and up to an additional 2,250,000 shares pursuant to an
overallotment option (collectively, the "Shares"), of DQE's Common Stock, no par
value, as contemplated by the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by DQE
with the Securities and Exchange Commission in File Nos. 333-85612 and
333-85612-01, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), for the registration of
the Shares, among other securities, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Act"). The Registration Statement has become effective under the Act. A
prospectus dated June 7, 2002, as supplemented by a prospectus supplement dated
June 20, 2002 (the "Prospectus"), is proposed to be filed by DQE with the
Commission on or about the date hereof.

         I have examined such corporate records, certificates and other
documents and have reviewed such questions of law as I have considered necessary
or appropriate for purposes of the opinions expressed below. Based on such
examination and review, I advise you that I am of the opinion that, when issued
and delivered, against payment therefor, in accordance with the terms and
conditions described in the Prospectus, the Shares will be legally issued, fully
paid and non-assessable.

         The foregoing opinion does not pass upon the matter of compliance with
"blue sky" laws or similar laws of any state relating to the distribution of the
Shares by the underwriters.

         I hereby authorize and consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit
5.3 to the Registration Statement, and authorize and consent to the reference to
me in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

         I am a member of the Pennsylvania Bar and do not hold myself out as an
expert on the laws of any other state. The opinion expressed herein is limited
to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As to all matters governed by
the laws of the State of New York, I have relied upon the opinion of even date





herewith of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, special counsel for DQE, which is being
filed as Exhibit 5.4 to the Registration Statement.

         In rendering their opinion, Thelen Reid & Priest LLP may rely upon this
opinion as to all matters of Pennsylvania law addressed herein as if this
opinion were addressed directly to them. Except as aforesaid, without my prior
written consent, this opinion may not be furnished or quoted to, or relied upon
by, any other person or entity for any purpose.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          /s/ David R. High

                                          David R. High
                                          Vice President and General Counsel
                                          DQE, Inc.