COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1999 – American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), on behalf of its subsidiaries Columbus Southern Power Company and Ohio Power Company, today filed the restructuring transition plan required by Am. Sub. S.B. 3. The filing, more than 3,000 pages in length, provides details on the companies' proposed rate unbundling, corporate separation, operational support, employee assistance and consumer education plans. The filing also includes a request to recover transition costs and a proposal for independent operation of transmission facilities. The Commission is expected to issue its final decision on the plan by Oct. 31, 2000. Ohio customers are eligible to choose their electric service provider effective Jan. 1, 2001. In the transition plan, the companies are seeking recovery of approximately $974 million in regulatory assets. These costs would have been recoverable over time in a regulated environment, but are not recoverable in a competitive market. Rates are frozen through the market development period, which begins 2001 and can extend until 2005. Regarding transferring control of its transmission facilities, AEP has submitted a proposal to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as part of the Alliance Regional Transmission Organization. AEP believes participation in the Alliance will satisfy the statutory requirements. Other aspects of the companies’ plan address: Billing (rate unbundling): In this plan, the companies’ rates are divided into transmission, distribution, generation and other components. Currently, all services provided are bundled in a single line item on customers' bills. At the outset, residential customers will receive a 5 percent reduction on the generation portion of the unbundled rates. Corporate separation: This plan explains how the companies’ operations will be separated to ensure that any affiliate providing competitive retail electric service or a non-electric product or service is not given an undue preference or advantage. Operational support: The necessary office support to effect customer switching, including customer and marketer services, employee education and information technology, are detailed in this plan. Employee assistance: Existing employee assistance programs are explained in this plan. However, at this time, the companies have not identified any positions affected by the law. Consumer education: AEP is working with the Commission, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel and the other utilities to conduct a statewide and a local education campaign that will clearly communicate to customers what is changing, what electric choice is and how to switch electric suppliers. "Putting this plan together has been a monumental undertaking involving thousands of work-hours," said William R. Forrester, director – Ohio Regulatory Affairs for AEP. "Moving from a regulated monopoly of 90 years to a restructured industry cannot be accomplished easily or lightly. However, we believe our plan has been constructed in the best interests of our customers, our shareholders and our employees. “It moves us significantly toward the beginning of competition in Ohio." AEP, a global energy company, is one of the Unites 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. 27, 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.