CHARLESTON, W.Va., March 2, 2005 – Appalachian Power, a unit of American Electric Power, is bringing its electrical safety education efforts into the classroom through an innovative, interactive educational touring theater show that actively engages local school children in learning.
           
Lights On for Louie is Appalachian’s fast-paced, action-packed live learning program that involves kids in the subject matter, presents lessons in a way that kids enjoy and helps children remember what they learned about electrical safety long after the show is over.
           
In the production, Sparky the Wonder Bug foils the villain, the Dragonfly, as Sparky strives to become a superhero sidekick to Louie the Lightning Bug, Appalachian’s safety spokesbug.  Sparky decides the best way to derail the Dragonfly’s evil plan is to learn as much as he can about electricity safety.  Relying on audience participation, Sparky and the students learn how to “play it safe around electricity” and their newfound knowledge saves the day.
           
Appalachian Power is sponsoring Lights On for Louie in dozens of area elementary schools in March. (A schedule of March presentations is attached.)
           
Using colorful sets and characters in humorous situations, Lights On for Louie is designed to teach young people the concepts and importance of electrical safety.
           
Appalachian Power spokeswoman Jeri Matheney said bringing Lights On for Louie to local schools underscores the company’s commitment to electrical safety and the education of young people.
           
“This program will make it possible for every local student to learn about electrical safety in a fun, exciting way that will help students remember how to play it safe around electricity,” she said.
           
Lights On for Louie is offered to every local elementary school over a two-year period. This allows all students over time to have the opportunity to experience live theater and learn key electrical safety messages.
           
The curriculum materials that accompany the program are used in the classroom to expand on and reinforce electricity and electrical safety concepts. The materials include colorful booklets that students can take home and share with parents to demonstrate and strengthen the youngsters’ understanding.
           
During the 2003-2004 school year, the live theater presentation was experienced by more than 370,000 students in more than 1,000 schools across AEP’s 11-state territory.

Appalachian Power provides electricity to 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.  It is a unit of American Electric Power, the nation’s largest electricity generator.  AEP owns more than 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity and is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, with more than 5 million customers in 11 states.