Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Cash Flow Hedges, Tax	$ 6,000,000	$ 1,000,000
Securities Available for Sale, Tax	1,000,000	0
Amortization of Pension and OPEB Deferred Costs, Tax	4,000,000	3,000,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member]
Cash Flow Hedges, Tax	290,000	275,000
Amortization of Pension and OPEB Deferred Costs, Tax	484,000	418,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member]
Cash Flow Hedges, Tax	1,322,000	286,000
Amortization of Pension and OPEB Deferred Costs, Tax	150,000	128,000
Ohio Power Co [Member]
Cash Flow Hedges, Tax	937,000	158,000
Amortization of Pension and OPEB Deferred Costs, Tax	1,745,000	1,422,000
Public Service Co Of Oklahoma [Member]
Cash Flow Hedges, Tax	29,000	239,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member]
Cash Flow Hedges, Tax	956,000	202,000
Amortization of Pension and OPEB Deferred Costs, Tax	$ 89,000	$ 69,000