American Electric Power customers will pay $57.5 million to cover repairs from a June 2012 windstorm, state regulators ruled yesterday. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio unanimously approved a plan developed by AEP, the agency's staff and several other groups. The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel had fought the agreement.

American Electric Power customers will pay $57.5 million to cover repairs from a June 2012 windstorm, state regulators ruled yesterday.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio unanimously approved a plan developed by AEP, the agency�s staff and several other groups. The Office of the Ohio Consumers� Counsel had fought the agreement.

Under the plan, customers will pay for the repairs with 12 monthly charges of $2.34 per household and $9.67 per business. The charges are the same regardless of the customer�s energy use.

This is the largest bill for storm repairs charged by any utility in state history.

The total is $6 million less than AEP had originally sought before reaching a compromise with the PUCO staff and others.

dgearino@dispatch.com