COLUMBUS, Ohio -- If you're an American Electric Power customer, you'll get a shock when you open your next electric bill.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved a three-year rate increase which will be passed onto customers, but it's how far back the company wants to hit you in the pocket that's at the center of a legal fight, NBC 4's Tacoma Newsome reported.
AEP is charging the increase retroactively from Jan. 1.
"In their bills moving forward starting in April, (customers) are going to see a slightly larger increase," said Terri Flora, of AEP.
That's the problem, according to the Ohio Consumer's Council.
Officials with OCC said the retroactive rate hike is unfair and unlawful.
"We believe the decision to collect retroactive rates violates Ohio case law and a newer electric policy enacted last summer," said Ryan Lippe, of OCC. "Customers should really only be paying increases going forward."
The OCC is fighting the decision, but AEP said it's important to get the money to recover fuel costs.
AEP officials said that even with the increase, Columbus' rates are the lowest in the region.
In the meantime, the OCC is considering other legal options, including petitioning to have PUCO reconsider both the retroactive portion of the rate hike and the increase itself.
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