COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 25, 1998 -- In a March 24 ceremony in Washington, D.C., the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) with its 1998 Green Lights® Ally of the Year award.

"AEP has shown energy efficiency is a smart business strategy," said Maria Tikoff Vargas, co-director of EPA´s Energy Star® Buildings and Green Lights programs. "AEP´s partnership with EPA serves as a remarkable example of environmental leadership."

Dale Heydlauff, AEP´s vice president of environmental affairs, said, "Being named Ally of the Year is quite an honor, and we thank EPA for this recognition. AEP is committed to environmental excellence, and the Green Lights program is a very effective component of our environmental stewardship. Green Lights makes sense for our company and for the environment."

AEP has voluntarily upgraded lighting in 6.5 million square feet in 1,800 facilities across its system. The upgrade has reduced annual electricity consumption by 23.3 million kilowatt hours, producing estimated energy savings of $1.3 million per year.

As a result of the energy reduction, AEP has avoided annual emissions of 29,295 tons of carbon dioxide, 144 tons of nitrogen oxides and 377 tons of sulfur dioxide.

The upgrade has also helped improve safety and general workspace quality and comfort in power plants, mining and fuel delivery operations, transmission and distribution facilities, offices and parking facilities.

The goal of EPA´s Energy Star Buildings and Green Lights Partnership is to optimize energy efficiency and profits while preventing pollution. According to EPA, the energy to run commercial and industrial buildings in the United States produces 19 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions and costs $110 billion a year. If implemented in every U.S. commercial and industrial building, the Energy Star Buildings´ upgrade approach could prevent up to 35 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions associated with these buildings and cut the nation´s energy bill by up to $22 billion.

"We´ve worked hard to share our Green Lights strategy with our customers so they, too, can enjoy the economic and environmental benefits," Heydlauff said. "We encourage everyone to join this program."

AEP, a global energy company, is one of the United States´ largest investor-owned utilities, providing energy to 2.9 million customers in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. AEP has holdings in the United States, the United Kingdom and China. Wholly owned subsidiaries provide power engineering, consulting and management services around the world. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio.