AEP Ohio Will Remove Proposed Utility Consolidated Billing Charge, Seeks Collaborative to Reach Consensus on Supplier Tariff Changes

AEP Ohio has proposed a collaborative process to reach consensus on changes to its supplier coordination tariff, asking that PUCO abate its current proceeding reviewing the tariff.

Notable provisions of the new tariff protested by suppliers included supplier credit/security requirements, charges for use of utility consolidated billing, and language concerning the treatment of capacity, switching fees, and the minimum stay period.

See prior story for more details

Notably, AEP Ohio said in reply comments that, "[w]ith respect to comments that AEP Ohio should not charge for the costs to provide consolidated billing services, AEP Ohio agrees to remove the charge."

Additionally, in response to comments, AEP Ohio agrees to remove the sentence stating that it may terminate consolidated billing for any reason with 30 days' notice.

"[B]ased on an unexpected level of concern being expressed by CRES Providers for some of the proposed tariff and contract changes being pursued by AEP Ohio, the Company would like to supplement its prior efforts to achieve consensus among the interested parties. Specifically, without prejudice to any of the Company’s litigation positions as outlined herein, AEP Ohio would like to enlist the Staff’s input and assistance and conduct additional meetings with CRES Providers and other interested parties prior to the Commission proceeding forward in this docket," AEP Ohio said.

"Based on the input and recommendations made by commenters thus far, the Company believes some level of additional consensus can be reached. After conducting such meetings, the Company will notify the Commission as to the outcome of the collaborative effort so that the case can move forward at that time and commits to do so within 60 days. Absent further direction from the Commission, the Company intends to pursue this course of action," AEP Ohio said.

Case No. 13-729-EL-ATA