AEP, account for almost "70 percent of sulfur dioxide emissions each year and 30 percent of nitrogen oxides emissions." Individually, these pollutants cause serious respiratory damage and other illnesses; when combined, they create what's known as acid rain, which causes long term damage to the environment and deterioration of natural and man-made structures. Environmental Protection Agency has named American Electric a potentially responsible party at the Green River Disposal Inc. Superfund toxic waste site. In February 2018, AEP announced plans to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050 through increased use of renewables, natural gas and energy efficiency. In August 2018, AEP started a program in Ohio that incentivizes the installation of electric vehicle infrastructure by investing $10 million for the installation of up to 375 electric vehicle charging stations. According to Utility DIVE, "The program is part of a wave of EV charging rollouts utilities are spearheading in an effort to spur EV adoption." Justice Department lawsuit The United States Justice Department filed a lawsuit on November 3, 1999, against AEP and six other companies for violating the Clean Air Act. On October 8, 2007, AEP agreed to install US$4.6 billion in equipment to reduce emission, as well as pay a US$15 million civil fine and provide US$36 million for environmental projects and $24 million for environmental mitigation. The company will cut of air pollutants annually once all of the controls are installed. According to the press release, the agreement imposes caps on emissions of pollutants from 16 plants located in five states. The facilities are located in Moundsville (two facilities), St. Albans, Glasgow, and New Haven (two facilities), West Virginia; Louisa, Kentucky; Glen Lyn and Carbo, Virginia; Brilliant, Conesville, Cheshire, Lockbourne, and Beverly, Ohio; and Rockport and Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Attempt to Halt Solar Energy AEP has come under criticism in many of the states they operate in for attacking rooftop solar. They have specifically attempted to halt distributed solar in Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Carbon footprint AEP reported Total CO2e emissions (Direct + Indirect) for the twelve months ending 31 December 2020 at 49,681 Kt (-29,610 /-37.3% y-o-y) and aims to reach net zero emissions by 2045. References External links American Electric Power Company History AEP River Operations Electric power companies of the United States Nuclear power companies of the United States Companies based in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area Energy companies established