PUCO Denies Waivers Sought by AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy EDCs in Electric Security Plan Filings

In separate orders, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has denied certain waivers separately requested by Ohio Power, and also Cleveland Electric Illuminating, Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison, concerning the information required to be filed in support of their respective electric security plans.

Both utilities had sought a waiver of the requirement to file projected customer rate impacts, which PUCO denied.

"The PUCO is committed to an open and transparent process as we evaluate the AEP and FirstEnergy electric security plan filings," PUCO Chairman Todd A. Snitchler stated. "Therefore, it is imperative for the Commission and other parties to have access to all data related to customer rate impacts and any other known costs so that we may evaluate each case in an efficient and effective manner. The public interest is at stake."

AEP Ohio had specifically been seeking a waiver from filing the projected rate impacts related to the proposed nonbypassable generation resource rider and the projected costs of the proposed utility-owned Turning Point solar project.

Aside from the rate impacts, the FirstEnergy utilities had sought waivers from filing information concerning the impact of the proposed electric security plan on governmental aggregation programs, retail shopping levels and provisions for economic development, job retention and energy efficiency.

In denying these waivers, the Commission required AEP Ohio and the FirstEnergy utilities to supplement their initial electric security plan applications with additional information by May 2, 2012.