Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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Consumers gain Columbus public hearing about American Electric Power service reliability and potential rate increase

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Feb. 1, 2007 – In response to a request by the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has scheduled a local public hearing for consumers in the Columbus area to voice their opinions on an American Electric Power (AEP) proposal to make changes to its local system and to increase rates.

The OCC made its request because a prior hearing was relocated to Newark from Reynoldsburg. The OCC wanted to ensure that consumers in and around the Columbus area would still have an opportunity to comment.

“We encourage consumers throughout central Ohio to attend this important hearing and speak about the reliability of their electric service and the rate increase sought by the company,” said Janine Migden-Ostrander, Consumers’ Counsel.

The PUCO’s Columbus hearing follows hearings held in Lima, Canton, Zanesville, Marietta, Athens and Newark to hear from the public. The additional hearing will be held:

Thursday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.
Wolfe Park Shelter House
105 Park Drive
Columbus (near Bexley)

According to its filing, AEP wants to recover approximately $71 million in additional revenues from consumers to pay for just the first 18 months of the plan to make service reliability improvements. Service reliability refers to the ability of AEP to keep consumers’ electricity on without interruption or the degradation of service quality.

As the residential utility consumer advocate, the OCC opposes AEP’s plan since the proposal would raise rates, and the company has not demonstrated that reliability would be improved. Instead, the OCC believes AEP should improve its service from the money it receives from customers under current rates, more of which could be used to ensure reliable service. The OCC encourages customers to testify at the upcoming local hearing to provide insights into local experiences.

About the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, represents the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The state agency also educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues and resolves complaints from individuals. To receive utility information, brochures, schedule a presentation or file a utility complaint, residential consumers may call 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free in Ohio or visit the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.