Title
To encourage the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to take measures to protect Ohio residents, including residents of Columbus, from rising electricity bills
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus residents have seen significant increases in both distribution and generation rates over the last few years, and the fact that energy costs will continue to rise due to capacity constraints in the PJM marketplace; and
WHEREAS, this Council urges the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to implement no rate increases in 2026 for AEP Ohio; and
WHEREAS, to the extent that rate hikes are necessary, to consider moving any increased costs for residential consumers out to 2027, in light of the urgent energy affordability crisis; and
WHEREAS, the PUCO recently approved several AEP Ohio rate increases and are currently reviewing two rate requests:
2023: AEP’s Electric Security Plans case increased rates by 4.5% over 4 years
2024: AEP’s gridSMART Phase 3 case incrementally adds charges to residential bills starting at $.20/month until it reaches $1.42 a month in six years
2025: AEP also asked the Commission to recover another $34 million of costs after the legislature repealed their statutory right to recover those costs. (still waiting on a decision)
2025: AEP asked the commission to drastically lower the amount of money they have to pay to residential customers who put power back into the grid through solar panels
WHEREAS, the Ohio Consumers Counsel believes that ratepayers would see an increase in their monthly bill after additional riders are added following AEP Ohio’s proposed settlement in recent applications for electricity rate increases, even though AEP Ohio claims ratepayers would see a potential decrease with this application; and
WHEREAS, this Council urges the PUCO to extend all disconnection protections, establish additional disconnection protections and extend the special reconnect order through summer; and
WHEREAS, this Council urges the PUCO to conduct a stu...
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