AES Ohio, the former Dayton Power & Light, is once again seeking higher rates from state regulators. This move comes as a surprise, as it marks a completely new case for the state's regulatory body, separate from previous instances. The utility company plans to file a 'multi-year reliability plan' with the Public Utilities Commission (PUCO) next month, aiming to adjust rates for the years 2027, 2028, and 2029. If approved, these new rates would result in annual increases of less than 3% for the 'typical customer' over the three-year period, according to Mary Ann Kabel, a spokeswoman for AES Ohio. This proposal is a significant reduction from the initially sought-after $61 million in refunds, now down to $1.6 million. The company emphasizes that even with the approved rates, AES Ohio will still have some of the lowest rates among investor-owned electric utilities in Ohio. However, this rate hike proposal has sparked concern among customers, who are already wary of rising utility costs. In recent months, both AES Ohio and CenterPoint Energy, a natural gas provider, have sought to increase rates simultaneously, putting additional financial pressure on consumers. AES Ohio serves approximately 539,000 customers across 24 counties in West Central Ohio.
