February 11, 2026

Supplemental Testimony of Molly Jo Stanley Before the Public Utilities Commision of Ohio

“I believe there is tremendous opportunity to improve AEP Ohio vegetation management practices that decrease costs associated with perpetual maintenance cycles, strengthen ecological health and resilience, and benefit local communities.  Over the next three years, AEP Ohio wants to charge customers $380 million to reduce the trees and plants near power lines. Current practices employ heavy herbicide application, harm nesting birds and pollinators, and proliferate invasive plant species. 

Vegetation that is impeding distribution lines can be thoughtfully removed at the appropriate times of year to reduce impact on wildlife and sensitive bird populations, while providing wood fuel and other resources to local communities. Transitioning the ecology of distribution lines to native plant communities congruous with distribution line maintenance needs would create healthy, resilient, beneficial ecosystems and habitat with a myriad of benefits: for instance, AEP Ohio could develop place-based management plans to create native warm-season grassland prairies that provide habitat for quail, grouse, white-tailed deer, and other important species.  In the long-term, this would reduce costs to AEP Ohio while providing food, resources, workforce training, and economic opportunities for local communities.    

By partnering with expert organizations, local businesses, and landowners, AEP Ohio could be a leader in demonstrating a replicable model for economically viable, ecologically and socially beneficial powerline management.” – Molly Jo Stanley