AEP rides our gravy train while lobbing threatens. Yet PUCO just OKed another hike | Opinion

An opinion piece published in The Columbus Dispatch criticizes American Electric Power (AEP) and Ohio state officials for an approved rate hike, which occurred despite significant public opposition and polls showing 94% of Ohioans are concerned about rising energy costs. AEP, which houses its regulatory and external affairs offices in downtown Columbus, is reportedly considering relocating amidst the backlash, prompting Governor Mike DeWine to intervene to ensure the utility remains in the state. The authors, Morgan Harper of the American Economic Liberties Project and writer Zeb Larson, argue that Ohio's utility regulation is severely broken. They contend that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) consistently approves AEP's rate hike requests with limited oversight, and that the Ohio Power Siting Board fails to scrutinize transmission plans for cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, AEP has lobbied state legislators, influencing policies like House Bill 6 to reduce clean energy requirements, and has received over $200 million in taxpayer subsidies despite reporting record profits. The article highlights that the stakes are particularly high due to the surging demand for electricity driven by Ohio’s data center boom. The PUCO approved another rate increase for AEP on April 1, disregarding public testimony and campaigns against it. The authors call upon the next governor of Ohio to appoint serious regulatory commissioners and sign legislation, such as a bill proposed by State Senators Kent Smith and Bill Blessing to ban charging ratepayers for lobbying expenditures, to hold AEP accountable and lower consumer electricity bills.