Ohio deregulated its energy market in 2001, allowing private retail suppliers to sell power. Although it took a few years for deregulation to get established, by 2014 more than half of Ohio customers had switched to a retail supplier. Although the term may be confusing, “deregulation” simply means that you have the power to choose from a variety of suppliers rather than being required to buy your electricity from your local utility company.
Since there are numerous options for suppliers and rate plans, it’s important to compare AEP energy rates to those offered by other companies to determine what’s best for your home. Please note that deregulation does not mean that there are no regulations. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is responsible for oversight. You can contact the Commission with any issues that you are unable to resolve with your supplier.