DQE Exhibit 12.1 DQE and Subsidiaries Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred and Preference Stock Dividend Requirements (Thousands of Dollars) Six Months Ended Year Ended June 30, December 31, 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 ---------------- ----------------------------------------------------- FIXED CHARGES: Interest on long-term debt $ 38,893 $ 79,454 $ 81,076 $ 87,420 $ 88,478 $ 95,391 Other interest 19,634 28,212 14,556 13,823 10,926 7,033 Portion of lease payments representing an interest factor 3,043 42,973 44,146 44,208 44,357 44,386 Dividend requirement 7,050 14,684 15,612 21,649 14,385 7,374 ---------------- ----------------------------------------------------- Total Fixed Charges $ 68,620 $165,323 $155,390 $167,100 $158,146 $154,184 ---------------- ----------------------------------------------------- EARNINGS: Income from continuing operations $ 60,051 $201,416 $196,688 $199,101 $179,138 $170,563 Income taxes 9,532 110,722* 100,982* 95,805* 87,388* 96,661* Fixed charges as above 68,620 165,323 155,390 167,100 158,146 154,184 ---------------- ----------------------------------------------------- Total Earnings $138,203 $477,461 $453,060 $462,006 $424,672 $421,408 ---------------- ----------------------------------------------------- RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 2.01 2.89 2.92 2.76 2.69 2.73 ================ ===================================================== *Earnings related to income taxes reflect a $3.0 million, $12.0 million, $17.0 million, $12.0 million and $13.5 million decrease for the twelve months ended December 31, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, due to a financial statement reclassification related to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges, absent this reclassification equals 2.86, 2.99, 2.87, 2.76 and 2.82 for the twelve months ended December 31, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.