AES Ohio Wants to Raise Your Electric Bill Again!

AES Ohio is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to increase the rates it charges to deliver electricity to its 527,000 consumers in West Central Ohio. The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) is analyzing the proposal and will be advocating to protect consumers.

If AES Ohio gets what it wants, consumers’ total distribution bills will increase by about 14%. According to AES Ohio, that means the average AES Ohio consumer using 1000 kWh will be paying $21.75 more per month for distribution (delivery) service—about $261 more per year! All AES Ohio consumers would pay this distribution increase in addition to the supply charges for the electricity they use. To learn more about the different charges that make up your monthly bill, see OCC’s “Electric Bill Made Easy” fact sheet at www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/electric-bill-made-easy.

At a time when inflation and interest rates are already driving up consumer costs for essentials like rent, groceries and gasoline, a utility rate increase like this could hit households hard—especially AES Ohio consumers. That is because this request comes on the heels of several other AES Ohio rate increases.

The PUCO already allowed a rate increase for AES Ohio when it approved AES Ohio’s electric security plan last year and allowed a distribution rate increase. Consumers are also paying millions for AES Ohio to install smart meters under its Smart Grid Phase 1 Plan. A second phase of its Smart Grid plan is under consideration by the PUCO and, if approved, would cost consumers many millions more. Utility service for AES Ohio consumers is becoming unaffordable.

OCC will be advocating for just and reasonable distribution rates for AES Ohio’s residential consumers in this case. Our team of experts is dedicated to analyzing the facts and representing your interests.

You can help us by making your voice heard at the PUCO. Below are several ways you can let the PUCO know your concerns about AES Ohio’s new proposal.

Virtual Hearing: OCC plans to request that the PUCO hold a virtual public hearing on AES Ohio’s rate increase proposal. Jobs, health challenges, mobility issues, disabilities, childcare, eldercare, transportation limitations and other concerns make it difficult for Ohioans to attend an in-person hearing. Consumers deserve the opportunity to be heard.

Want to Know More?

OCC’s Motion to Intervene on behalf of AES Ohio’s consumers is available at this link: https://bit.ly/4f51ene

Here is a link to the PUCO docket with all the filings in the case: https://bit.ly/3BkwiBz

Questions?

Call or e-mail your advocate, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, at 1-877-742-5622 or occ@occ.ohio.gov.