LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION FAQs

A Letter of Authorization (LOA) gives us permission to release your interval data to a Competitive Retail Energy Service (CRES) Provider. Under Ohio Administrative Code, AEP Ohio is required to obtain customer permission before granting access to any electric usage data that reflects any detail more granular than a basic monthly total. By signing the letter of authorization, you are giving the CRES Provider(s) you select the ability to download your interval data until the expiration date of the Letter of Authorization.

Smart meters collect electric usage data in 15-minute intervals. This data, which is automatically generated for customers with a smart meter, provides more information on when and how you are using electricity.

A CRES is a Competitive Retail Electric Service Provider. In Ohio, customers are free to choose who supplies the Generation portion of their electricity service. Customers can purchase this service from a Competitive Retail Electric Service (CRES) Provider.

Under Ohio Administrative Code, AEP Ohio is required to obtain customer permission before granting access to any electric usage data that is more detailed than monthly totals. A CRES Provider does not have access to your interval data unless you give authorization to a specific CRES Provider to access the data.

With access to more granular information about your electric usage, a CRES may be able to do a more in-depth analysis of your usage patterns to offer you a better rate.

Once a customer signs a letter of authorization for a CRES Provider, the CRES Provider can access up to two (2) years of data preceding the date when the data is pulled, as long as the authorization is valid. The CRES Provider will only be able to access data from the date you opened your account. The CRES Provider cannot see data for previous account holders at your premise.

By default, the Letter of Authorization is valid for one (1) year. However, you are able to specify an expiration date that is less than one year. The CRES Provider will be able to access up to two (2) years of data that precedes the date when the data is pulled and will retain that access until the expiration date of your LOA or until you cancel the authorization.

Yes, by logging into your My Account on AEPOhio.com and selecting LOA History, you can choose an active LOA for a specific CRES Provider and revoke/terminate it as of the current date. The CRES Provider will no longer be able to access any more of your interval data unless you complete a new LOA.

To change the expiration date of an existing LOA, simple terminate the LOA by logging into your My Account and create a new one with the desired expiration date.

Yes, LOAs are CRES Provider specific and you must authorize each individual CRES Provider. However, AEPOhio.com does allow you to select multiple CRES Providers at one time when completing the LOA.

Yes, you must complete an LOA for each Service Delivery Identifier number. This number is a 17-digit number that can be found on your paper bill or by logging into your My Account.

A customer can provide authorization for a CRES to access their electric interval usage data by logging into their AEP Ohio My Account and submitting the authorization. The authorization can also be provided by the customer to a CRES Provider and they can submit to AEP Ohio on their behalf. In addition, for those without internet access, a customer can request a paper copy be mailed and then mail back the completed authorization to AEP Ohio.