AEP Accepts FERC Decision

AEP this week accepted the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decision that rescinded a waiver that would have allowed its Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved “power purchase agreement” (PPA) between its distribution utility and its affiated power plants.

The company now is asking the PUCO to approve a PPA only for the power it controls as part of the Ohio Valley Electric Corp. (OVEC) in southern Ohio. OVEC generates 440 megawatts, or less than 15% of the total previously requested by AEP.  OVEC is the only plant owned by the AEP distribution facility (rather than its retail generation affiliate).

AEP has indicated it will continue to push for customer-financed wind and solar projects totalling 900 megawatts, and that it will seek legislative “re-regulation” of generation.