COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 5, 2001 - American Electric Power, its employees and contractors today presented $600,000 to the American Red Cross for its Disaster Relief Fund for victims, families and others directly affected by terrorist attacks Sept. 11.

E. Linn Draper Jr., AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer, presented the contributions to Michael Carroll, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus, at a noon rally of AEP employees in the lobby of the company’s headquarters.

“This is a proud day for the people of AEP and our contractors who work in 17 states and five countries around the globe,” Draper said. “The outpouring of support by our employees and contractors for this humanitarian effort has been truly extraordinary. It was just three weeks ago today that we began to receive contributions in this lobby and in locations around the AEP system. From Laredo, Texas, to Lynchburg, Virginia, through countless volunteer efforts, our AEP family has opened its heart to help.” AEP made a corporate contribution that matched individual contributions.

In addition to its monetary contribution, AEP donated gloves, respirators, shovels, safety glasses, flashlights and batteries for use by rescuers at terrorist attack sites. The company also released for use at the World Trade Center in New York a 1,000-ton crane, one of the largest in the world, that had been reserved for a construction project at an AEP power plant.

Draper also paid tribute to three AEP employees called to active duty in the armed services:

• Willard Moore of Tulsa, Okla., a line mechanic

• George Valdez of Abilene, Texas, a meter reader

• Bill Rinehart of Canton, Ohio, a line mechanic

The employee rally was webcast to AEP employees in the U.S. and abroad. A moment of silence was observed in remembrance of the victims. Festivities included patriotic music and the presentation of American flags to those who attended. The event closed with the singing of “God Bless America.”

Nick Ashooh, AEP senior vice president of corporate communications, whose department coordinated the employee contribution and collection effort, put the rally in perspective when he introduced Draper and Carroll. “This event will give us an opportunity to reflect on the events of September 11 and to recognize the thousands of our employees from every location in the AEP system who have opened their hearts and pocketbooks to support our fellow Americans,” he said. “We hope it will be an uplifting time for all.”

American Electric Power is a multinational energy company based in Columbus, Ohio. AEP owns and operates more than 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity, making it America’s largest generator of electricity. The company is also a leading wholesale energy marketer and trader, ranking second in the U.S. in electricity volume with a growing presence in natural gas. AEP provides retail electricity to more than 7 million customers worldwide and has holdings in the U.S. and select international markets. Wholly owned subsidiaries are involved in power engineering and construction services, energy management and telecommunications.