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Contact: Ryan Lippe
(614) 466-7269

Consumers’ Counsel reacts to denial of request to halt AEP’s retroactive rates

COLUMBUS, Ohio – June 18, 2009 – The Supreme Court of Ohio yesterday denied the request of the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) to block American Electric Power (AEP) from continuing to collect the retroactive portion of its recent rate increase.

The OCC was joined in its April 17 request by Kroger, the Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association.

“While we are disappointed customers will continue to pay retroactive rates, we hope the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) will nevertheless quickly reconsider many aspects of its decision granting AEP rate increases,” said Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander. “Overall, residential customers of AEP have seen double-digit rate increases that should be scaled back based on our office’s sound legal arguments. We renew our request for the PUCO to take a second look at its original decision.”

The PUCO modified and approved AEP’s electric security plan on March 18, including the ability for AEP to collect a full year’s worth of rates over nine months. The OCC’s pending request for the PUCO’s reconsideration of the decision outlines many arguments that major portions of the rate increase violate state law and regulatory rules.

Yesterday’s decision does not prevent the case from returning to the Supreme Court of Ohio.

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 Web site at www.pickocc.org.