June 29, 2012

Update:  On June 22, 2012, the attorney examiner issued an entry establishing for oral arguments to commence on Friday, July 13, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. at the Commission.  Counsel for any party of record that filed a brief in the proceeding is invited to attend and parties with similar interests are encouraged to combine their presentations.  The Commission will focus on six areas, including: 1) the retail stability rider (“RSR”); 2) pool termination, generation asset divestiture and the effects of divestiture on AEP-Ohio’s auction process; 3) the methodology to conduct the ESP versus MRO statutory test under Section 4928.143, Revised Code; 4) competitive issues between AEP-Ohio and competitive retail electric suppliers including notice requirements, switching fees, and the creation of electronic data and its availability; 5) distribution investment rider (“DIR”); and, 6) proposed base generation rate design.  In the event that the Commission has no questions for a particular party, or a party did not address one of these specified subjects in its post-hearing briefs, there is no guarantee that a party will be called upon to present its arguments before the Commission.

Also, the OMAEG filed its post-hearing brief on June 29th and will file a reply brief by the July 9th deadline.  It is anticipated that the Commission will issue a decision by late-August.