American Electric Power has a new CEO, and with that has come some organizational changes.

AEP Chief Nuclear Officer Shane Lies has been promoted to executive vice president and will answer directly to new AEP CEO Bill Fehrman.

Previously, Lies, based in Bridgman at the Cook plant, reported to an executive vice president in Columbus, Ohio. That executive, in turn, reported to the CEO. However, Lies tells us Fehrman wants a more direct line to nuclear operations at the company.

“When Bill came in with his past experience — and he does have experience in the nuclear industry — he wanted nuclear closer to him,” Lies said. “So, he made the decision that he didn’t want an intermediary. He wanted me as the chief nuclear officer to report directly to him.”

With the Cook plant being AEP’s only nuclear plant, could this mean Fehrman is going to lean into nuclear power even more?

“He views new nuclear very favorably and he sees it as a key component going forward for generation and for grid stability, especially as we talk about all these new loads coming on,” Lies said. “The data center loads, the Bitcoin, all of these loads that use significant amounts of power. So, yes, that is a fair characterization. He is very high on new nuclear.”

Lies tells us the company leadership is interested in exploring new nuclear options, including small modular reactors.

Lies will remain in Bridgman and says the new organizational changes won’t affect plant staff. Fehrman started as the AEP CEO On August 1.