Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Denies AEP’s Plan to Subsidize Coal Power Plants

(COLUMBUS – February 25, 2015) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) today hailed the decision by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to deny American Electric Power’s (AEP’s) request for guaranteed recovery of its costs to operate aging, uneconomic Ohio coal plants. This would have forced AEP’s customers to subsidize the plants through their electricity bills.  The Environmental Defense Fund, along with many other parties, opposed AEP’s proposal.   

“EDF applauds the PUCO for recognizing that AEP’s proposal would not benefit Ohioans.  These old coal plants cost more to operate than the value of power they generate and the plants produce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that would make it more difficult for Ohio to comply with EPA’s Clean Power Plan. Today’s decision assures that the market will remain competitive and provides a level playing field, giving clean energy resources an equal opportunity to compete with legacy fossil fuel plants.”

• John Finnigan, Lead Attorney, US Climate and Energy Program