The state's utility watchdog wants regulators to make adjustments to American Electric Power's plan to raise Ohio rates 45 percent over three years.

Ohio Consumers' Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander says that would be one of the largest electric-rate increases her office has seen during its 31 years. She says the proposed rates are more than consumers can handle as they also deal with high costs for gasoline and natural gas.

AEP says it needs to charge more, partly because it's contending with soaring prices for coal.

On Thursday, AEP was one of two major Ohio power companies to make a request for higher rates. FirstEnergy wants a 16.1 percent increase spread over three years.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, said Thursday it will be carefully reviewing each utility’s Electric Security Plan and is concerned about any rate increases for residential consumers.

“The anticipated impact of the Electric Security Plans would be a one-two punch to customers’ wallets, as any rate increases would be on the heels of the higher distribution rates proposed by most of Ohio’s major electric and natural gas utilities,” said Janine Migden-Ostrander, Consumers’ Counsel.

“These are dire times for many residential consumers, and well beyond just those with low incomes,” said Migden-Ostrander. “The decisions made in the coming months – through Public Utilities Commission of Ohio rules and the utilities’ proposed rate plans – will determine future rate increases. We need accountability that the money being requested by the utilities is fair and reasonable. The OCC will continue to work as part of the Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates and stands ready to protect the interests of residential consumers.”

While residential consumers can anticipate a rate increase, the level is undetermined.

“This is unchartered territory in terms of how rates are being set, which highlights the need for the OCC to protect consumers from any unjustified rate increases,” said Migden-Ostrander. “While traditional rate cases involve a year-long process, consideration of the Electric Security Plans is on a faster timeline.”

As the process moves forward, the OCC will continue to keep residential consumers informed.