COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 13, 2002 - American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) filed a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today calling for certain western transmission assets to participate in the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO).

Transmission assets covered by the filing are facilities owned by AEP operating companies Southwestern Electric Power Co. and Public Service Company of Oklahoma, which currently operate within the Southwest Power Pool (SPP).

SPP has conditional approval from the FERC to pursue a merger or other business combination with MISO, which is a FERC-approved regional transmission organization (RTO).

AEP continues to pursue RTO participation with PJM Interconnection for transmission assets in the company’s eastern region.

American Electric Power is a multinational energy company with a balanced portfolio of energy assets. AEP, the United States’ largest electricity generator, owns and operates more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. and select international markets. AEP is a leading wholesale energy marketer, ranking among North America’s top providers of wholesale power and natural gas with a growing wholesale presence in European markets. In addition to electricity generation, AEP owns and operates natural gas pipeline systems, natural gas storage, coal mines, and the fourth-largest inland barge company in the U.S. AEP is also one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, with almost 5 million customers linked to AEP’s wires. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio.