AEP subsidiary Indiana Michigan Power, a regulated distribution and generation electric monopoly in Indiana and Michigan, has requested approval from Indiana electric regulators to purchase and own a competitive natural-gas-fired power plant in Ohio, the 870-megawatt Oregon Clean Energy Center. The request would remove this competitive power generation from the regional electricity market and put it into AEP’s Indiana monopoly supply. The move is likely unnecessary – Indiana Michigan Power can purchase additional power supply on PJM’s competitive markets if it needs to. It also appears to counter narratives from utilities of an imminent power shortage in Ohio. The shortage claim was previously called into question with another AEP announcement to ship power to the east coast.

AEP’s announcement to monopolize competitive Ohio power generation with their Indiana utility comes at a sensitive time – Ohio’s state House and Senate recently voted a combined 122-3 to affirm the state’s commitment to energy markets while rescinding Ohio ratepayer subsidization of an AEP-owned coal plant in Indiana that has cost Ohioans hundreds of millions of dollars. 4/16/2025