Briefly

PUCO Directs AEP Companies to Cease Collection of POLR Charges, Certain Environmental Carrying Costs

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has directed Columbus Southern Power and Ohio Power to file revised tariffs to remove from its rates POLR charges and environmental carrying cost charges associated with investments made from 2001-2008. These costs were previously ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court of Ohio based on the lack of support in a prior PUCO order, and the Court remanded the issues to PUCO (see 4/20). To the extent AEP Ohio intends, on remand, to seek approval of a non-cost-based POLR charge, or a POLR charge based upon costs, or intends to seek recovery of environmental carrying charges pursuant to the Court's remand, PUCO directed AEP Ohio to make the appropriate filing, at which time the Commission will establish a procedural schedule for consideration of such filing.

PUCO Denies Rehearing of Duke Energy Ohio MRO Dismissal

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio denied rehearing requests filed by Duke Energy Ohio, as well as FirstEnergy Solutions, regarding PUCO's prior finding that Duke Energy Ohio's Market Rate Option filing was non-compliant due to its accelerated blending period. The rehearing order is notable because Duke Energy Ohio had been waiting for action on its rehearing petition prior to deciding whether to file for a new MRO, or alternatively, for an electric security plan, which it confirmed it is evaluating (5/4).

BGE Withdraws Tariff Changes Clarifying Supplier Taxing Responsibility

Baltimore Gas and Electric has withdrawn its previously filed supplier coordination tariff revision regarding the responsibilities of BGE and/or the supplier to collect and remit various taxes under several billing scenarios (see 11/8). BGE reported that ithas discussed this issue in the supplier working group and, based on such discussions, withdrew the filing, intending to submit a revised tariff showing new changes to the tax provisions at a later date