AEP to Heed Wants of State Leaders, Putting Climate Aim in Flux

American Electric Power Co. is taking direction from state regulators on their energy and economic development goals under new CEO Bill Fehrman. That may lead to a change in the utility’s 2045 net-zero carbon target, he said.

“When 10 of our 11 states are red states, to go into those states and tell them we want to discontinue burning coal and natural gas because AEP has a carbon target, that isn’t well-received,” said Fehrman, who became chief executive in August.

“It’s the state’s responsibility to decide what their policy’s going to be,” he said during an interview at the ...