COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 27, 1998 -- Ohio´s first solar energy system under the national Million Solar Roofs Initiative will be installed this summer on an elementary school in Worthington, Ohio.

The Million Solar Roofs Initiative is a program created by the United States Department of Energy (DOE), which is leading an effort to place 1 million solar energy systems on roofs across the U.S. by the year 2010. In Ohio, American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP); the Foundation for Environmental Education; the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Energy Efficiency; and Viron Energy Services are spearheading a project that will place solar panels on schools throughout the state.

A 2,000-watt BP Solar energy system, consisting of 30 75-watt modules, each 21inches by 47 inches, will be installed at Bluffsview Elementary School. The structure, approximately 21 feet by 12 feet, will be mounted on the ground and electrically connected to the school building. Internet-based software developed by AEP will allow students and others to see the energy demands of the school and the amount of energy supplied by the panels.

The system will be fully operational in September.

"This project provides an ideal way to teach students and community members alike about an alternative source of energy," said Paul Loeffelman, manager of environmental affairs for AEP.

"Solar energy can be part of a diverse mix of energy sources, which includes fossil fuels, nuclear and other renewables such as wind, biomass and hydro."

Loeffelman said the project would be implemented at other schools in states served by AEP, depending on their interest and funding. Each system costs $14,000 installed; the Worthington project is being supported by corporate donations and in-kind services, as well as pledges received from the community at large.

The Foundation for Environmental Education, based in Columbus, Ohio, produces "Environmental Weekly," a nationally syndicated television series. The Foundation is a Rebuild America Partnership of the DOE. In Ohio, the Foundation helped create a statewide tree-planting project coordinated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

AEP, a global energy company, is one of the United States’ largest investor-owned utilities, providing energy to 3 million customers in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. AEP has holdings in the United States, the United Kingdom, China and Australia. Wholly owned subsidiaries provide power engineering, energy consulting and energy management services around the world. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio.

On Dec. 22, 1997, AEP announced a definitive merger agreement for a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction with Central and South West Corp., a public utility holding company based in Dallas.