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Ohio regulators want to hear why some groups support coal-plant bailouts
PUCO says groups must provide depositions
by WKSU's ANDY CHOW


Reporter
Andy Chow
 
AEP’s Bill Allen was on the stand during a PUCO hearing, giving testimony on the utility’s plan to guarantee profit for its coal plants.
Courtesy of ANDY CHOW

The state' utility regulators are looking over a plan that would guarantee a profit for two utilities that operate coal plants by raising the price on electric bills. And they want to hear why certain groups are OK with it. Statehouse correspondent Andy Chow reports.

LISTEN: More details demanded on support of the coal-plant plan

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AEP’s latest draft would keep three coal units afloat for eight years and then guarantee their closure by 2030.

The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel represents customers in these cases. The counsel's William Michael wants three groups, IGS Energy, Direct Energy and the Sierra Club, to give depositions on why they aren’t opposing AEP’s plan.

“This is a $2 billion case. It is a case of the most gravity and I think the commission would benefit from a very robust record.”

Those groups argued that answering questions about why they signed off on the plan could violate attorney-client privileges.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio ruled for the consumers' counsel and asked those three groups to provide depositions at some point this week.

Akron-based FirstEnergy also wants a coal-plant guarantee, but has yet to get the support of any environmentalists. Both it and AEP says consumers would benefit in the long run. 


Related WKSU Stories

Questions about Ohio energy policy arising in 2015 will extend into 2016
Monday, January 4, 2016

Kasich weighs in on proposed deals to keep old power plants running
Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Environmentalists and Ohio utility reach deal on higher electric rates
Tuesday, December 15, 2015

PUCO rules against AEP plan to subsidize coal plants
Friday, February 27, 2015

 
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