BlueStar Energy Solutions to Rebrand as AEP Energy

BlueStar Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, will begin operating as AEP Energy June 29, the company said yesterday.

AEP acquired BlueStar on March 7.

AEP Energy will consist of two business units, energy supply and energy management. The energy supply business will be led by Jim Petersen and provide electricity supply for residential, commercial and industrial customers in Ohio, Illinois and other deregulated markets. As first reported by Matters, AEP Energy also recently received approval to market natural gas to customers in Ohio.

Energy management will be led by Scott Slisher and will continue providing energy solutions, including demand response and energy efficiency services, nationwide. Petersen and Slisher report to Greg Hall, president, AEP Energy Partners.

"Changing BlueStar's name to AEP Energy is not only appropriate now that BlueStar is part of AEP, but also an important challenge for our team. While we operate independently, it is inspiring to be part of a diverse company that is one of the largest electricity providers in the nation and has provided reliable, affordable electricity to customers for more than a century," Hall said.

AEP Energy's operations will continue to be based in Chicago, with offices in Columbus, Ohio, and Marysville, Calif. AEP Energy has 280 employees.