Dive Summary:

• American Electric Power (AEP)  has asked the Pubiic Utilities Commission Ohio for a $290 million rate hike to expand its smart meter program from 110,000 locations to 900,000 houses and businesses in Ohio.
• If approved, AEP will begin installations next year; the project is expected to take four years.
• "This is not a sprint, but a marathon," AEP spokeswoman Terri Flora said of the program.

From the article:

"AEP Ohio has learned from recent significant weather events like the 2012 derecho and superstorm Sandy that modernization of the distribution grid can help pinpoint damage more accurately and ultimately support faster restoration times during future weather events..."