Hello John,

AEP Ohio is lying. This week, AEP proposed a settlement in the rate case and claimed it would decrease consumer bills. The Ohio Consumer's Counsel caught their funny math.

As reported by WOSU, the "decrease" would result from a tax credit that AEP Ohio already owes consumers; however, after 18 months, the tax credit would run out, and consumer bills would increase by 23%. Morgan Harper put it best: "We know right from wrong in Ohio. This is AEP trying to manipulate the public into thinking they are actually lowering prices, and it's just not true." Read the full story here.

This is why we cant let up.

On January 27 at 12pm, join us at PUCO headquarters (180 E Broad St) to let them know to reject this settlement and not allow AEP to increase rates. We will be joined by Communities United for Action, a Cincinnati-based organization doing utility organizing, Green Workers Alliance whose members who install commercial solar projects, and People’s Action, a national advocacy organization coordinating electricity ratepayer, and Common Cause Ohio.

👉 RSVP here

In solidarity,
Team CSU

P.S. Read below for other updates on the Lights Out campaign and donate here to support our utility organizing.

 Further Updates:

1. Online Petition
   • So far, more than 2,000 people have signed the online petition demanding PUCO reject AEP Ohio’s proposed rate increase. If you haven't already, share the petition to help us hit our goal!
2.  Public Testimony
   • Between the two public hearing dates, dozens of people from all over central Ohio showed up to tell the PUCO Chair directly to reject AEP’s proposed rate hike. Witnesses including two sitting Columbus City School Board of Education members.
3.  Direct Voter Contact
   • We knocked on hundreds of doors in neighborhoods throughout Columbus and called hundreds of residents to inform them about the rate increase and encouraged them to sign the petition and testify. Almost every person we spoke to wanted to know what they could do to lower electricity prices. Many signed/shared the petition, and some actually came to testify!
4.  Press Coverage
   • Lights Out gained significant press coverage that elevated rising utility costs as a political issue in central Ohio and helped generate more public participation in the hearings. Check out the coverage on CSU’s press page (including our very own Zeb Larson's op-ed!). Here are some of the links: 
     • Grassroots effort to stop AEP rate hikes begins | NBC4
     • Grassroots effort to prevent AEP rate hike | Spectrum News
     • AEP Ohio responds to opposition of rate increase | NBC4
     • Columbus grassroots activists rally large opposition to proposed American Electric Power rate hike | WOSU
     • PUCO holds hearings on proposed AEP rate hike | Spectrum News
     • PUCO holds final public hearing on proposed AEP Ohio rate increase | 10 WBNS
     • Residents speak out on AEP Ohio rate hikes | NBC4
     • It's just a game. AEP trying to pay bottom line on our backs | The Columbus Dispatch