GAHANNA, Ohio, Sept. 15, 2014 – AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), and AEP Ohio Transmission Company are using helicopters this week to do line maintenance to a portion of a high-voltage 765-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Marysville, Ohio, to the Indiana state line.

           The work involves installing line spacers and is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to maintain and improve the reliability of its electric transmission system in Ohio. This work will be done through Mercer, Auglaize, Shelby, Logan and Union counties. Communities near the route include Rockford, Celina, St. Mary's, Wapakoneta, Botkins, Jackson Center, Northwood, Bellefontaine, Russells Point and Marysville.

           The work will be done during daylight hours Monday through Saturday and is expected to be completed by Sept. 26.  Weather delays could alter this schedule. AEP has contracted with Haverfield Aviation, which will be flying a black Hughes MD500 Helicopter with Tail Number N721RP. AEP has been using helicopters for aerial line work in Ohio for more than 10 years.

           AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers of major AEP subsidiary Ohio Power Company in Ohio. AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American Electric Power. News and information about AEP Ohio can be found at AEPOhio.com.

           American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a more than 40,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east and north Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio. News releases and other information about AEP can be found at aep.com.