COSE Applauds PUCO Action on AEP Agreement

CLEVELAND, Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Earlier today, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) made a decision to disapprove AEP-Ohio's electric security plan (ESP) as previously outlined in a settlement agreement.  The PUCO's decision is due to the fact that the approved agreement does not benefit ratepayers and is not in the public interest. Specifically, many small business customers in AEP territory experienced significant, unexpected, rate increases, largely due to the negotiations that took place after the ESP was introduced.

In response to the PUCO's recent decision, Steve Millard , President & Executive Director of the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE), made the following statement:

"We applaud the decision of Chairman Snitchler and the PUCO to re-open the AEP rate case in part to address the negative impact AEP's Electric Security Plan would have on rates for small businesses.  COSE will formally intervene in the process to represent both our members within the AEP territory as well as all small businesses who are impacted by this process and need to have their voices heard at the PUCO."

About COSE
COSE is Ohio's largest local small business association, offering group rated health, workers' compensation and energy programs to over 14,000 small business members.  COSE actively helps small businesses reduce their energy costs through an electric aggregation program, audit and retrofit opportunities, education about energy efficiency benefits and opportunities, and serving as an Administrator in the FirstEnergy Energy Efficiency Collaborative. 

SOURCE Council of Smaller Enterprises