Proposed AES Ohio plan could save customers money, but not long term

DAYTON — A new plan from AES Ohio could mean customers will save money on their monthly bills on the front end, only to possibly pay for it on the back end.

News Center 7′s John Bedell took a look at the scrutiny this deal has to get before potential approval and how it could benefit the City of Dayton.

“It’s a struggle out there, trust me. It’s a struggle,” Willie Evans of Dayton said.

Evans is talking about paying monthly bills. It’s never a number people want to see go up.

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A new three-year plan AES Ohio applied for, that’s currently under Public Utilities of Commission of Ohio review, would initially lower monthly costs for the average AES customer.

Dayton resident Steven Robinson said he got something in the mail about it.

“The letter said that it was going to be some cuts on the rates,” Robinson said.

But rates would increase in the second and third years of the plan.

AES has agreed to pay nearly $3 million every year of the three-year proposal to support a low-income assistance program.

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News Center 7 reached out to AES Ohio for comment. A spokesperson said this proposal is subject to PUCO approval.

Dayton said a potential settlement it reached with AES would give the city programs and incentives that would “lessen the negative impacts of the rate increases on residents.”

Something Evans said he’d be happy to see.

“It’ll be great. Help a lot of people. Those that really do need help now,” he said.

If it gets PUCO approval the city said it would save more than $1 million.

This proposed settlement still needs to be reviewed and then approved by the PUCO Commission of Ohio before it takes effect.

We will continue following this story and update as new information becomes available.

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