AEP Ohio data centers proposal adopted by PUCO

AEP Ohio recognized a ruling by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio that addresses the power needs of Ohio’s growing data center industry while protecting AEP Ohio’s other customers. The ruling approves a request made by AEP Ohio in May 2024 to establish enhanced financial obligations that data centers must undertake to support infrastructure that serves them. The staff of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, the Ohio Energy Group and others had joined AEP Ohio in the filing. The financial requirements are designed to protect other customers from shouldering the costs of grid improvements required to meet data centers’ energy demands. “We are glad the PUCO agrees that it is critical to align data centers’ demand for energy with the infrastructure costs needed to support their growth in Ohio,” said Marc Reitter, AEP Ohio president and chief operating officer. “This infrastructure will support Ohio’s growing tech sector and help secure America’s data storage and processing facilities here in the U.S.”