GAHANNA,
Ohio, Jan. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AEP Ohio, an
American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, today filed an
Electric Security Plan (ESP) application with the Public Utilities
Commission of Ohio that continues
AEP Ohio's commitment to reliability, innovation and offering
programs that help customers reduce their energy use and save
money. AEP Ohio's plan would invest $2.2
billion in reliability-focused projects over the six-year
ESP term.
"We understand that our customers expect us to provide reliable
power, and the proposal we have developed outlines our strategy for
electric grid investments that build on the work we are doing
today," said Marc Reitter, AEP Ohio
president and chief operating officer. "Our plan focuses on meeting
our customers' expectations. We have already invested in
reliability improvements and that work is producing benefits for
customers. But we need to do more focused work and we need to do it
more quickly as we plan for rapid economic growth, increasing
customer expectations and hardening the grid to withstand stronger
storms. More than 5,500 miles of power lines and hundreds of pieces
of substation equipment will be replaced under the proposal. We
understand the electric service we provide is essential in our
customers' lives, and we believe the planned investment under our
proposal will deliver significant benefits."
Aging equipment across the system including 350 transformers,
475 breakers and 560 regulators in substations across the state
will reach the end of their expected lives within the next decade.
Additionally, 247 circuits where customers have experienced 5 or
more outages per year over the last 3 years have been identified.
These circuits will be improved through equipment upgrades, by
being rebuilt, or reconfiguring how power flows to improve
reliability.
New lines and substations will be built to meet the evolving
needs of AEP Ohio customers while at the same time supporting
bringing new businesses to the state to grow the economy.
A Community Resiliency Pilot program would test the use of a
backup generator that could help supply power when large powerlines
are not able to bring power into an area. Additionally, batteries
would be installed at substations to supply power while crews make
repairs. These would help determine the best method to reduce the
impact of outages in vulnerable rural and urban communities.
The ESP proposes several energy efficiency programs for
residential customers, programs designed to help low-income
customers benefit from energy efficiency, and a Senior Discount
Program that would give qualifying customers 65 years of age or
older a $5 discount off their monthly
customer charge.
In addition, AEP Ohio is proposing to build on the successful
Electric Vehicle Charging Program approved in the previous ESP.
Through that program, more than 350 charging stations were
installed by local governments, business and at multi-unit housing.
More than 20% of these stations are located in low-income areas.
The ESP would continue a similar program and provide incentives for
residential customers who agree to charge vehicles during times
when power demand is lower.
Technology that makes the power grid smarter and more reliable
plays a critical role in AEP Ohio's plan. AEP Ohio's fiber optic
data network ensures that grid operators have access to the
real-time information they need. AEP Ohio is proposing to offer
internet providers in underserved or unserved areas access to its
fiber optic network in order to provide broadband service. Any
federal grants and payments from internet companies would be
credited to AEP Ohio customers.
These new and innovative proposals are being made in addition to
continuing the distribution grid maintenance and upgrades that are
necessary to meet the needs of AEP Ohio customers.
If approved as a filed, customers would see an average monthly
increase of about 2%, or about $4,
each year of the ESP term.
About AEP Ohio
AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American
Electric Power. AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million
customers. News and information about AEP Ohio can be found at
AEPOhio.com.
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner,
brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP's
approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation's
largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles
of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable
power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is
one of the nation's largest electricity producers with
approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity,
including more than 7,100 megawatts of renewable energy. The
company's plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio
to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2032. AEP is on track to
reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels
by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is
recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community
engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP's family of
companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power
(in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in
Tennessee), Indiana Michigan
Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power
Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas
Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides
innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more
information, visit aep.com.
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SOURCE AEP Ohio