Manufacturing Leader Makes Case Against Customer-Paid AEP Generation Development

In an opinion published by the Canton Repository, Brad Belden, President, The Belden Brick Co., made the case that the PUCO should reject AEP Ohio’s filing to develop new renewable generation on its ratepayers’ dime.

Belden wrote: “The Ohio Power Co. (AEP Ohio) currently has an application pending before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) that would require all AEP Ohio customers to subsidize the development of at least 900 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy. …

“… because these subsidies would be non-bypassable, all customers in AEP Ohio’s service territory, even those who already purchase power (including green power) competitively from another supplier, would have to pay the AEP Ohio renewable energy rider on the distribution portion of their electric bills. …

“The fact is, Ohio’s generation market is robust. Ohio and the surrounding region have plenty of electric generation resources to meet the electric needs of customers. …” 3/25/2019