AEP Ohio files planned return to standard business practices

Beginning in September, AEP Ohio, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, intends to return to normal business practices, per a filing with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

Ohio’s COVID-19 emergency plan, which has been in effect since March 13, barred service disconnections for non-payment during the pandemic. Since Ohio is now reopening the economy, AEP Ohio determined it was time to return to normalcy through a phased approach, including the resumption of service disconnections for past due customer accounts.

“We understand that a full economic recovery will take time and there are customers who are still experiencing financial uncertainty,” Raja Sundararajan, AEP Ohio president and CEO, said. “For customers struggling to pay their bills, we ask that you reach out to us so we can help. Taking action now can help keep balances and bills manageable, and your electric service connected.”

This does not mean an end to payment arrangements or assistance programs, though. AEP Ohio stressed that residential, commercial, and industrial customers can still apply for extended payment arrangements and waive deposit requirements, so long as they can pay a portion of their unpaid balance. Deposit requirements will be temporarily waived for payments missed from March through July.

While the service disconnections would resume under the new plan, Sundararajan stressed that the company wanted to help customers maintain service despite personal financial impacts caused by the virus and associated lockdowns. Disconnections would only occur after multiple notices were issued. September bills will also provide the payment amount needed to avoid disconnection, along with a potential disconnection date.