Daniels addresses AEP issue
Lead Summary
By
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To the editor:
The Highland County Press recently published an online letter to the editor that detailed a resident's displeasure over the recent rate hikes associated with American Electric Power (AEP).
The gentleman's letter echoed the same sentiment that is being expressed by a great number of our area's residents and also described a recent interaction that he had with members of my staff.
With that said, I would like to take this opportunity to share some specifics regarding the steps that have been taken to urge the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's (PUCO) action on this issue.
On Tuesday, January 17, we received an AEP bill from a constituent that reflected a 100% rate change in distribution charge from January 2011 to January 2012.
The following day, I informed representatives from the PUCO about the significant rate hike that this individual had incurred and told them that I would be reaching out to them again as the situation unfolds.
In the days that followed, I spoke with a number of Highland County residents and interested parties to gather additional information and assess how best to proceed on this matter.
I again met with PUCO staff on Wednesday, February 8 and voiced my growing concern over the added burden that is being placed on small business owners throughout our area. At this meeting, I requested side-by-side comparisons of electric distribution and generation charges across the State of Ohio.
Once again, I told them that we would be in further communication as more information is made available. Following that meeting, I sent a letter to PUCO Chairman Todd Snitchler in order to put my concerns on record and asked that the Commission re-examines the decision that led to this recent rate increase.
This unprecedented and crippling rate hike is proving detrimental to small businesses and families alike. I, as well as my staff, have been well-engaged in monitoring this situation and urging the PUCO to take action as soon as possible.
If you or your business have incurred an exponential rate increase in recent weeks, I urge you to contact the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio through their website, www.puco.ohio.gov or by calling 1-800-686-7826, and ask them to reconsider Case No. 11-346-EL-SSO.
Sincerely,
Sen. David Daniels
Ohio Senate
District 17[[In-content Ad]]
The Highland County Press recently published an online letter to the editor that detailed a resident's displeasure over the recent rate hikes associated with American Electric Power (AEP).
The gentleman's letter echoed the same sentiment that is being expressed by a great number of our area's residents and also described a recent interaction that he had with members of my staff.
With that said, I would like to take this opportunity to share some specifics regarding the steps that have been taken to urge the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's (PUCO) action on this issue.
On Tuesday, January 17, we received an AEP bill from a constituent that reflected a 100% rate change in distribution charge from January 2011 to January 2012.
The following day, I informed representatives from the PUCO about the significant rate hike that this individual had incurred and told them that I would be reaching out to them again as the situation unfolds.
In the days that followed, I spoke with a number of Highland County residents and interested parties to gather additional information and assess how best to proceed on this matter.
I again met with PUCO staff on Wednesday, February 8 and voiced my growing concern over the added burden that is being placed on small business owners throughout our area. At this meeting, I requested side-by-side comparisons of electric distribution and generation charges across the State of Ohio.
Once again, I told them that we would be in further communication as more information is made available. Following that meeting, I sent a letter to PUCO Chairman Todd Snitchler in order to put my concerns on record and asked that the Commission re-examines the decision that led to this recent rate increase.
This unprecedented and crippling rate hike is proving detrimental to small businesses and families alike. I, as well as my staff, have been well-engaged in monitoring this situation and urging the PUCO to take action as soon as possible.
If you or your business have incurred an exponential rate increase in recent weeks, I urge you to contact the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio through their website, www.puco.ohio.gov or by calling 1-800-686-7826, and ask them to reconsider Case No. 11-346-EL-SSO.
Sincerely,
Sen. David Daniels
Ohio Senate
District 17[[In-content Ad]]