November 5, 2025
OEC Statement on AEP Ohio’s Admission that OVEC Coal Plants are Not Profitable
For Immediate Release:
November 5, 2025
Contact:
Karlena Wallace, Communications Director
media@theoec.org 614-487-7506
OEC Statement on AEP Ohio’s Admission that OVEC Coal Plants are Not Profitable
Columbus, Ohio — On Monday, November 3rd, AEP Ohio asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for permission to transfer its Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (OVEC) interests to an unregulated affiliate, AEP Genco. This proposed divestment from the OVEC coal plants comes months after H.B. 15 repealed a ratepayer-funded bailout for the costly plants. In its application, AEP Ohio noted the two coal plants, one in Ohio and one in Indiana, are not profitable and a bad investment for Ohio ratepayers.
As AEP Ohio states in its filing: “Given that the OVEC contractual entitlements have proven to be more of a financial liability than an asset—OVEC’s plants have operated in the red year over year for more than a decade and are burdened by significant environmental liabilities—AEP Ohio’s proposal to transfer the entitlements in exchange for an assumption of all OVEC-related liabilities by AEP Parent is reasonable.”
AEP Ohio’s filing is available on the PUCO’s website in 12-1126-EL-UNC.
AEP Ohio’s request also comes a week before the PUCO is set to review whether Ohio utilities can charge consumers for all OVEC losses from 2021 to 2024.
The following quote can be attributed, in whole or in part, to Karin Nordstrom, Energy Attorney for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC):
“AEP Ohio has admitted what Ohioans have known for years: Ohio ratepayers should not subsidize dirty, uneconomic, Cold War era coal plants. Monopoly distribution utilities should not have control of uneconomic energy sources, leaving Ohio consumers to foot the bill. Duke Energy Ohio and AES Ohio should follow suit and take the necessary steps to divest from OVEC.”
“Following record profits from AEP Ohio’s parent company, the OEC hopes the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio will approve AEP Ohio’s complete divestment of these coal plants and require these plants to compete in the energy marketplace with all other energy sources.”
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The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) protects the environment and health of all Ohio communities through legal and policy advocacy, decision-maker accountability, and civic engagement.
