<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Dear Greenies,<div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">It seemed odd to me that the Sierra Club is actively encouraging citizens to protest proposed electricity price increases. I just now attended a “training” on speaking up at upcoming PUCO (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio) hearings, and it makes more sense to me now.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Obviously, utility companies are fossil-fuel consumers, and part of the reason they are seeking rate increases is because they are operating (and sometimes owning) coal-fired power plants—and coal is increasingly expensive. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">So, there’s a hearing on Monday at 6 p.m. at Washington State Community College. I can’t attend—I’ll be out of town. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">But you could go, and sign up to testify, and just say something as simple as “I oppose these electricity supply and distribution rate increases because I’m retired and living on a fixed income, and while I can afford my electricity bill right now, if it increases by 28%, I won’t be able to.” </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Or you could say “I can afford a 28% increase in my electric bill, but I oppose this price increase because I have so many friends who can’t afford it. These rate increases hurt the poor the most. Meanwhile, the AEP stock holders benefit, and the CEO of AEP earns millions of dollars each year. This system is immoral.”</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Really, according to the Sierra Club, such arguments are persuasive. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">So, I encourage you to go to that hearing and speak up if you can. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">And if you can’t, there will be a virtual hearing on May 9 and 11 a.m., and you can also testify there. (But again, I can’t because I’ll be at work!) So option 3 is to send your testimony via a letter or email—which I will do. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Below are links shared at that training. If you are inclined to participate, please have a look at them. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KeoS2GngGgTGPwTkz151hA9WKVryhoN_/view" class="">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KeoS2GngGgTGPwTkz151hA9WKVryhoN_/view</a> - How AEP is asking for rate increases to their distribution costs</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/19WuZEVrFc14Nf9ZrRFMZ8c92I4rLcTNzIxwUD_95Vtw/edit" class="">https://docs.google.com/document/d/19WuZEVrFc14Nf9ZrRFMZ8c92I4rLcTNzIxwUD_95Vtw/edit</a> - Talking points for testifying at AEP hearings</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qVWeP2SHzOoNqbwFcHUohLwr28gwgj0ACKFrkBygz5c/edit" class="">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qVWeP2SHzOoNqbwFcHUohLwr28gwgj0ACKFrkBygz5c/edit</a> - Why and how to testify at AEP public hearing</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">The last one includes a link to the PUCO public hearings site, where you can get more information.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Thanks!</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">—dawn</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div></body></html>