Update:  The hearing began June 4th as scheduled, despite AEP Retail Energy Partners’ motion to continue the hearing date and modify the procedural schedule of the case. The parties opposing the settlement claim that the ESP does not pass the test for approval as it is not more favorable in the aggregate than the expected results of an MRO. First Energy submitted rebuttal testimony and the hearing is scheduled to conclude today. Parties will submit initial post-hearing briefs followed by reply briefs, and then the PUCO will issue a decision.