On April 11, 2023, AES Ohio filed a settlement of its Electric Security Plan (ESP) with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). If approved, this settlement would allow AES Ohio to implement a plan to invest in its network and strengthen reliability, protect customers from volatility in market-based energy prices, and promote economic growth and job creation. The settlement, signed by seventeen parties and PUCO’s staff, received broad support from residential, commercial, industrial and low-income customers as well as suppliers and market participants.
ESP customer benefits
Customer benefits of the ESP include:
- Increased educational outreach and marketing of utility assistance and low-income energy efficiency programs, prioritizing its outreach into communities that have a high percentage of disconnections. AES Ohio will explore outreach in multiple languages where appropriate and at local public events.
- Over the ESP three-year term, AES Ohio will contribute $150,000 of shareholder funds to the Gift of Power program which provides emergency relief funding to eligible customers who are facing disconnection or financial hardship.
- Additional support of economic development, weatherization in disadvantaged communities, electric vehicles (EVs) and customer education.
- Introducing new programs to address green energy and the growing electrification needs of customers.
Understanding the ESP
“This comprehensive settlement is a major step in our ability to execute on our strategic plan to strengthen our network, ensuring that critical investments are made to benefit customers today and in the future,” said Kristina Lund, AES Ohio President and CEO. “For more than one hundred years our customers have relied upon us for affordable and reliable service, and we have and will continue to provide transmission and distribution service with the lowest rates of Ohio investor-owned utilities.”
Review the ESP
A copy of the filed settlement is available at https://dis.puc.state.oh.us/DocumentRecord.aspx?DocID=aac71e3c-39f0-4fa0-9979-fe1f2f2571dc.