PUCO Removes All POLR Charges from AEP Ohio Rates

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio accepted tariffs from AEP Ohio eliminating all POLR charges from current rates effective with the first billing cycle of November 2011.

The Commission's action was taken without prejudging any issue which may be raised on rehearing regarding POLR and related matters.

PUCO had previously found AEP Ohio's POLR charges unjustified, but AEP Ohio disputed that this prior order required the removal of all POLR charges (see 10/14). AEP Ohio had argued that PUCO's prior order only required AEP Ohio to remove POLR costs added in the most recent electric security plan order, but did not modify the pre-existing POLR charges from earlier rate stabilization orders.

As a result, AEP Ohio filed tariffs reflecting the continuation of some POLR charges, but also offered "alternative" tariffs completely removing all POLR charges.

PUCO accepted the tariffs removing all POLR charges.