AEP Ohio electricity bills are going up
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Gabriella Turrisi/Axios
AEP Ohio customers will pay more to stay cool this summer, with standard bills expected to increase by about 28% starting Thursday.
Driving the news: Rising demand and energy prices worldwide are making it more expensive for power plants to generate electricity — a cost they charge to providers like AEP Ohio, which then pass it on to customers.
- AEP spokesperson Scott Blake tells Axios the increased cost to consumers is the "dollar for dollar" increased price they're facing.
Be smart: Energy is deregulated in Ohio, meaning customers can shop around for electricity providers that offer the best prices.
- If your city offers an aggregation program to pool together customers, like one Columbus voters approved in 2020, it could save you money.
Zoom in: After Thursday's rate hike, an average customer (using 900 kwH monthly) could save about $35 a month through Clean Energy Columbus' aggregation program, Sustainable Columbus assistant director Erin Beck tells Axios.
- Some of Clean Energy Columbus' rates fund a grant that supports local workforce development and sustainability initiatives.
State of play: 73% of eligible customers, about 187,000, are currently participating, Beck says.
- Anyone who lives in Columbus and is an AEP Ohio customer is eligible.
- Call 1-888-307-0264 to opt in or out at any time.
The big picture: Other local communities offering aggregation include Hilliard, Grove City and Worthington.
How it works: Electric bills have three parts: generation, transmission and distribution.
- Generation is what's becoming more expensive — but that price varies among providers, who bid on energy generated at power plants across the U.S. and pass those costs along to customers.
Of note: If an AEP Ohio customer joins a government aggregation program or picks a different provider, they continue receiving bills from AEP Ohio, because it still handles transmission and distribution to homes.
What we're watching: The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio hosted hearings last week on another potential AEP Ohio price hike for 2024 to improve equipment and power lines.
- Commissioners will make a decision later this year.
💡 Pro tips: How to reduce energy usage at home, according to AEP Ohio and Energy Choice Ohio, and details on bill payment assistance and other help.