The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that American Electric Power (AEP) is planning on closing several electric power plants due to new federal clean-air regulations proposed by U.S. EPA, with 600 jobs lost and increases in utility bills of 10-15%. "The costs of complying with the new rules would hit Ohio customers in their monthly bills, with electricity costs rising by 10 percent to 15 percent over the next few years, in addition to other rate increases that would happen anyway, said Nick Akins, AEP president."