The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) recently approved AEP Ohio’s request to create a special Data Center Tariff, over manufacturers’ objections.

AEP and the PUCO claimed minimum demand provisions in the tariff were needed to protect other customers from cost shifts, yet provided no analysis to back their claims and rejected expert testimony to the contrary. OMA’s expert witness testified that AEP’s tariff could do the opposite, saying it could “create several billion dollars in new costs to customers.”

In a recent earnings call, AEP explained the minimum demand provisions of its tariffs are driving up revenues: “Higher peak demand, coupled with the contractual minimums built into the latest tariff provisions, predominantly in Indiana, are driving up revenues.” 8/12/2025