The Ohio Consumers' Counsel wants an independent audit, rather than a PUCO review, of AEP's decision last month to cut power after a wind storm.

AEP Ohio told PJM vegetation was a likely cause of the transmission failures that left more than 240,000 customers without power after storms in June.

AEP Ohio customers accused the utility of racism for cutting power to poor areas of Columbus following a windstorm while continuing service to the suburbs.