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AEP Ohio filed a Joint Stipulation And Recommendation for the Ohio Public Utilities Commission’s consideration in resolving the utility’s rate case.  The joint stipulation is supported by a majority of the parties in this case. 

Signatories to the joint stipulation includes Ohio Energy Group, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, MARA Holdings Inc., Ohio Energy Leadership Council, Interstate Gas Supply LLC, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association Energy Group, Retail Energy Supply Association, The Kroger Co., Nationwide Energy Partners, Sidecat LLC, Staff of the Commission, and the Company (the “Signatory Parties”)—that will resolve all issues in the above-captioned proceedings.

“The Signatory Parties recommend that the Commission issue an order approving this Stipulation and placing new rates into effect no later than April 1, 2026. AEP Ohio agrees that it will not file a new base distribution rate case under R.C. Chapter 4909 with rates taking effect any sooner than the conclusion of ESP V (June 1, 2028).”

1. Rate of Return

“The Signatory Parties agree to an overall rate of return of 7.10%, reflecting a cost of long-term debt of 4.27% and a return on equity of 9.84%. The capital structure of 49.12% debt and 50.88% equity as proposed in the Company’s Application and adopted in the Staff Report will be retained.”

1. Rates and Tariffs 
2. New base rates approved in this proceeding shall become effective within 14 days after an Opinion and Order approving this Stipulation. 
3. The $5 switching fee will be eliminated from the Company’s tariff, with the revenue shortfall being reassigned.
4. Schedule E 2.1 Sheet 103-52 – Paragraph 10 shall be modified to read as follows: “CRES Providers shall not include any profane or vulgar language on any customer bills.” 4. AEP Ohio agrees to maintain the Retail Reconciliation Rider and SSO Credit Rider as zero placeholder riders until May 31, 2028.
5. AEP Ohio agrees to maintain the Retail Reconciliation Rider and SSO Credit Rider as zero placeholder riders until May 31, 2028.
6. Data Center Tariff Provisions 
7. Data centers currently participating in the 1CP and 6CP BTCR pilots can stay on these pilots until the end of ESP V, but they will not be permitted to participate in the pilots or successor programs beginning 6/1/28. Any data center not currently on the 1CP or 6CP BTCR pilot will not be eligible to be added to the pilots. This provision is not intended to restrict the proposal or approval of any programs under any provision of H.B 15 that became effective August 14, 2025. All parties to this proceeding reserve their right to propose or oppose any applicable successor programs to the 1CP and 6CP BTCR pilots and criteria for such successor programs, including but not limited to eligibility and the definition of “successor” program. 
8. As part of the settlement package in this proceeding, the Supplemental Customer Charge will not apply to Existing Load (as defined in Schedule DCT), but this exemption shall not be interpreted as restricting application of the charge to such load upon Commission approval in any future proceeding. Signatory Parties reserve all rights on this topic in the next base distribution rate case. c. In its next base distribution rate case, Schedule DCT customers and Schedule GS customers will be separate customer classes in AEP Ohio’s Cost of Service Study. Signatory Parties reserve all rights on this topic in the next base distribution rate case. 
9. AEP Ohio agrees for purposes of implementing the current Schedule DCT that the unilateral termination by the Company of an existing Contract for Existing Load (i.e., load that is currently grandfathered under the DCT) does not, by itself, result in the same load becoming New Load under the DCT. This provision shall not be interpreted as restricting the Company’s position in a future case or restricting the modification of grandfathered load status upon Commission approval in any future proceeding.”

25-0393-EL-ATA
(AEP Ohio Rate Case)