AEPCustomer : Customer Choice : Overview

Introducing Customer Choice
Major changes are coming to the electric utility industry. During the next few years, many states will change or eliminate some of the restrictions governing the industry. As a result, you will be able to choose your energy supplier. And you will pay prices for electricity supply that result from competition rather than government regulation.

AEP supports the creation of a competitive electricity market. We believe that all customers should receive the benefits of competition at the same time and that all customers should be free to buy electricity from anyone they choose.

How we operate today
Today, a single utility generates, transmits and distributes electric power. You purchase these services as a single product at a single rate approved by the state regulatory commission. This is known as "bundled" service.

Anticipated changes
Electricity industry restructuring will "unbundle" electricity supply (generation) from delivery (transmission and distribution). You will be able to choose the company that supplies the electricity you use. The local utility company still will deliver the power through the existing lines and equipment.

What will change:
Energy Supply	You will be able to select the company that supplies the energy you use Suppliers will compete to sell energy to you Pricing for this portion of your service will reflect competition
What will stay the same:
Energy Delivery (transmission & distribution)	Your existing utility company will deliver power to you through the same equipment it uses today Safety, reliability and service standards will be the delivery company's responsibility with regulatory oversight Pricing for this portion of your service will be approved by regulators