Our Policy Work At The State & Local Level
State and local issues vary widely by jurisdiction, but there are common issues, such as support and cost recovery for environmental retrofits, advanced coal technologies, renewable energy, energy efficiency and demand-side management (DSM) programs and improvements to our distribution system.
Among many state issues that AEP addresses are:
- jurisdictional and territorial boundaries;
- market structures;
- water resources;
- transmission;
- distribution reliability;
- siting;
- eminent domain;
- state renewable portfolio standards (Ohio, Michigan and Indiana have introduced legislation); and
- copper theft.
From our familiarity with these issues, AEP has created the Clean Energy Development Toolkit, an inventory of national and state legislation focused on clean energy. In conjunction with this, AEP developed "model" legislation that states can use to encourage clean energy projects in their own jurisdictions. The toolkit has been distributed at legislative conferences and in trade meetings and is also available through third-party web sites, including the National Council of State Legislatures. It has been recognized by the Edison Electric Institute through its Advocacy Award.
In addition, AEP supports the state-level version of the carbon capture and storage bill drafted by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and has been tailoring the model to satisfy specific state needs. This model bill is being shared with state policymakers in AEP's service territory and beyond to help establish support for new ways to deal responsibly with carbon stocks, such as safe underground storage and enhanced oil recovery.
