COLUMBUS (Sept. 1, 2010) -- AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) announced today that it will contribute $500 for every field goal made by Ohio State during the 2010 football season to the Neighbor to Neighbor energy assistance program. Since May of 2009, AEP Ohio has collaborated with the Dollar Energy Fund to provide more than $2.8 million in assistance to help moderate to low-income customers maintain or restore electric service.

Through the Neighbor to Neighbor program more than 120 community-based organizations in 49 Ohio counties have joined the program’s network and have helped 9,185 low-income households receive utility assistance grants that are applied directly to their AEP Ohio account.

“This promotion was designed to draw attention to the on-going need Ohioans have for utility payment assistance in these challenging economic times,” said Joe Hamrock, president and chief operating officer for AEP Ohio. “AEP Ohio wants to help customers and encourage those who are able to contribute to this program to help their neighbors.”

Throughout the season, announcements will be made during the games about the Neighbor to Neighbor program and the ongoing tally of AEP Ohio donations as each field goal is scored. Buckeye fans who are AEP customers will also be encouraged to make donations and help out a neighbor by “checking the box” on their AEP bill and adding a few “bucks” to their monthly bill. Head coach Jim Tressel will also promote the program during his weekly television program.

“We are proud to partner with AEP Ohio to continue provide this much needed assistance,” said Chad Quinn, COO of Dollar Energy Fund. “With AEP Ohio’s generosity, the Neighbor to Neighbor Program has helped tens of thousands of your neighbors – adults, children and seniors – keep electric service. You can help by donating as little as one dollar per month to the program directly through your AEP Ohio bill. A buck makes a big difference.”

AEP Ohio customers are able to contribute a dollar or more to the Neighbor to Neighbor Program and AEP will match every dollar donated to the program doubling the impact of every dollar given.

“We want to help our neighbors, especially those who are elderly and disabled be comfortable in their homes, especially during the coming winter months when temperatures can be extreme,” Quinn said. “I would like to extend a challenge to residents and businesses in our communities to help Dollar Energy Fund maximize AEP Ohio’s contribution and make a donation to the Neighbor to Neighbor Program.”

To qualify for the assistance, the total gross household income must be at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. For example, a family of four earning up to $44,100 per year is income eligible for the program. In addition, households must have made a sincere effort of payment on their electric bill in the last 90 days and have a back balance. Full eligibility guidelines and application instructions can be found at www.dollarenergyfund.org or www.aepohio.com.

AEP Ohio customers may make a contribution through their monthly electric bill. Donations can also be made online at www.dollarenergyfund.org or by sending a check directly to the Ohio Neighbor to Neighbor Program, L-3285, Columbus, OH 43266-3285. All donations to the Neighbor to Neighbor Program will assist low-income AEP Ohio customers residing in Ohio.

AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers of major AEP subsidiaries Columbus Southern Power Company and Ohio Power Company in Ohio, and Wheeling Power Company in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio. The company serves all or part of 61 counties in Ohio and two in West Virginia.

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 more than 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-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 Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.

About Dollar Energy Fund, Inc: Dollar Energy Fund was founded in 1983 and has grown to become one of the largest hardship funds in the United States. Dollar Energy Fund is a 501 (c) 3 organization operating in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee and West Virginia. Throughout its history, the organization has provided over $70 million in utility assistance grants to over 255,000 low-income families and individuals.

All donations to the Neighbor to Neighbor Program, administered by Dollar Energy Fund, will assist low-income families residing in Ohio. Additional information can be found on Dollar Energy Fund’s website, www.dollarenergyfund.org. ###