Financing Activities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Long-term Debt
Senior Unsecured Notes	$ 11,883,000,000			$ 11,883,000,000			$ 11,737,000,000
Pollution Control Bonds	1,958,000,000			1,958,000,000			2,112,000,000
Notes Payable	469,000,000			469,000,000			402,000,000
Securitization Bonds	2,316,000,000			2,316,000,000			1,688,000,000
Junior Subordinated Debentures	315,000,000			315,000,000			315,000,000
Spent Nuclear Fuel Obligation	265,000,000	[1]		265,000,000	[1]		265,000,000	[1]
Other Long-term Debt	51,000,000			51,000,000			29,000,000
Fair Value of Interest Rate Hedges	6,000,000			6,000,000			7,000,000
Unamortized Discount, Net	(36,000,000)			(36,000,000)			(39,000,000)
Total Long-term Debt Outstanding	17,227,000,000			17,227,000,000			16,516,000,000
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	2,272,000,000			2,272,000,000			1,433,000,000
Long-term Debt	14,955,000,000			14,955,000,000			15,083,000,000
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				1,612,000,000	[2]
Retirements and Principal Payments				904,000,000		1,520,000,000
Short-term Debt:
Securitized Debt for Receivables	696,000,000	[3]		696,000,000	[3]		666,000,000	[3]
Commercial Paper	520,000,000			520,000,000			967,000,000
Line of Credit - Sabine	0	[4]		0	[4]		17,000,000	[4]
Total Short-term Debt	1,216,000,000			1,216,000,000			1,650,000,000
Securitized Debt for Receivables	0.24%	[5]		0.24%	[5]		0.27%	[5]
Commercial Paper	0.45%	[5]		0.45%	[5]		0.51%	[5]
Line of Credit - Sabine	0.00%	[5]		0.00%	[5]		1.79%	[5]
Comparative Accounts Receivable Information
Effective Interest Rates on Securitization of Accounts Receivable	0.26%		0.23%	0.26%		0.27%
Net Uncollectible Accounts Receivable Written Off	8,000,000		11,000,000	21,000,000		28,000,000
Customer Accounts Receivable Managed Portfolio
Accounts Receivable Retained Interest and Pledged as Collateral Less Uncollectible Accounts	887,000,000			887,000,000			902,000,000
Total Principal Outstanding	696,000,000			696,000,000			666,000,000
Delinquent Securitized Accounts Receivable	41,000,000			41,000,000			38,000,000
Bad Debt Reserves Related to Securitization, Sale of Accounts Receivable	22,000,000			22,000,000			18,000,000
Unbilled Receivables Related to Securitization, Sale of Accounts Receivable	236,000,000			236,000,000			370,000,000
Financing Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Commitment from Bank Conduits that Expire in One Year	385,000,000			385,000,000
Commitment from Bank Conduits that Expire in Three Years	315,000,000			315,000,000
Total Commitment from Bank Conduits to Finance Receivables	700,000,000			700,000,000
Amount Indicated on Cash Flows				1,600,000,000		1,118,000,000
Trust Fund Assets One Time Fee Obligation for Nuclear Fuel Disposition	308,000,000			308,000,000			308,000,000
Auction Rate Tax Exempt Long Term Debt Outstanding	583,000,000			583,000,000
Period to Defer Interest Payments on Debentures				10
Maximum Percentage Debt to Capitalization				67.50%
AEP Subsidiaries [Member]
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	375,000,000			375,000,000			293,000,000
Long-term Debt	2,295,000,000			2,295,000,000			1,674,000,000
AEP Subsidiaries [Member] | Notes Payable One [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				8,000,000
Interest Rate				Variable
Due Date				2017
AEP Subsidiaries [Member] | Notes Payable Two [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				2,000,000
Due Date				2026
Long- term Debt by Type of Debt and Maturity
Interest Rate (Minimum)				7.59%
Interest Rate (Maximum)				8.03%
AEP Generating Co [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes One [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				3,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	6.33%			6.33%
Due Date				2037
AEP Generating Co [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes One [Member] | Repayment Of Debt [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				4,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	6.33%			6.33%
Due Date				2037
AEP Texas Central Co [Member] | Securitization Bonds One [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				312,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	2.845%			2.845%
Due Date				2024
AEP Texas Central Co [Member] | Securitization Bonds Two [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				308,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	0.88%			0.88%
Due Date				2017
AEP Texas Central Co [Member] | Securitization Bonds Three [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				180,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	1.976%			1.976%
Due Date				2020
AEP Texas Central Co [Member] | Securitization Bonds Four [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				108,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	4.98%			4.98%
Due Date				2013
AEP Texas Central Co [Member] | Securitization Bonds Five [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				63,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	5.96%			5.96%
Due Date				2013
AEP Texas Central Co [Member] | Pollution Control Bonds One [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				60,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	1.125%			1.125%
Due Date				2012
Appalachian Power Co [Member]
Long-term Debt
Total Long-term Debt Outstanding	3,702,283,000			3,702,283,000			3,726,251,000
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	574,678,000			574,678,000			594,525,000
Long-term Debt	3,127,605,000			3,127,605,000			3,131,726,000
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				364,868,000		479,666,000
Utility Money Pool Participants' Money Pool Activity and Authorized Borrowing Limits
Maximum Borrowings from Utility Money Pool				350,153,000
Maximum Loans to Utility Money Pool				23,195,000
Average Borrowings from Utility Money Pool				168,094,000
Average Loans to Utility Money Pool				22,692,000
Net Loans (Borrowings) to/from Utility Money Pool	(94,807,000)			(94,807,000)
Authorized Short-term Borrowing Limit				600,000,000
Maximum and Minimum Interest Rates
Maximum Interest Rate				0.56%		0.56%
Minimum Interest Rate				0.44%		0.06%
Average Interest Rates for Funds Borrowed from and Loaned to Utility Money Pool
Average Interest Rate for Funds Borrowed				0.48%		0.38%
Average Interest Rate for Funds Loaned				0.48%		0.31%
Accounts Receivable and Accrued Unbilled Revenues
Accounts Receivable and Accrued Unbilled Revenues	131,937,000			131,937,000			121,605,000
Fees Paid to AEP Credit for Customer Accounts Receivable Sold
Fees Paid to AEP Credit for Customer Accounts Receivable Sold	1,703,000		2,500,000	5,389,000		7,314,000
Proceeds from Sale of Receivables
Proceeds from Sale of Receivables to AEP Credit	351,570,000		307,364,000	993,975,000		958,288,000
Financing Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amount Indicated on Cash Flows				339,396,000		640,027,000
Maximum Percentage Debt to Capitalization				67.50%
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Pollution Control Bonds One [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				30,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	6.05%			6.05%
Due Date				2024
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Pollution Control Bonds Two [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				19,500,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	5.00%			5.00%
Due Date				2021
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Pollution Control Bonds Three [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				65,350,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	2.00%			2.00%
Due Date				2012
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Pollution Control Bonds Four [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				65,350,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	2.25%			2.25%
Due Date				2016
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes One [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				275,000,000
Interest Rate				Variable
Due Date				2013
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes Two [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				250,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	5.65%			5.65%
Due Date				2012
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Land Note [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				18,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	13.718%			13.718%
Due Date				2026
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member]
Long-term Debt
Total Long-term Debt Outstanding	2,109,630,000			2,109,630,000			2,057,675,000
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	304,694,000			304,694,000			279,075,000
Long-term Debt	1,804,936,000			1,804,936,000			1,778,600,000
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				78,062,000		122,469,000
Utility Money Pool Participants' Money Pool Activity and Authorized Borrowing Limits
Maximum Borrowings from Utility Money Pool				0
Maximum Loans to Utility Money Pool				362,733,000
Average Borrowings from Utility Money Pool				0
Average Loans to Utility Money Pool				208,072,000
Net Loans (Borrowings) to/from Utility Money Pool	284,768,000			284,768,000
Authorized Short-term Borrowing Limit				500,000,000
Maximum and Minimum Interest Rates
Maximum Interest Rate				0.56%		0.56%
Minimum Interest Rate				0.44%		0.06%
Average Interest Rates for Funds Borrowed from and Loaned to Utility Money Pool
Average Interest Rate for Funds Borrowed				0.00%		0.39%
Average Interest Rate for Funds Loaned				0.47%		0.31%
Accounts Receivable and Accrued Unbilled Revenues
Accounts Receivable and Accrued Unbilled Revenues	116,702,000			116,702,000			121,597,000
Fees Paid to AEP Credit for Customer Accounts Receivable Sold
Fees Paid to AEP Credit for Customer Accounts Receivable Sold	1,674,000		1,623,000	4,738,000		4,758,000
Proceeds from Sale of Receivables
Proceeds from Sale of Receivables to AEP Credit	358,936,000		350,108,000	1,018,933,000		1,016,680,000
Financing Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amount Indicated on Cash Flows				128,228,000		76,414,000
Three-year Credit Facility	110,000,000			110,000,000
Maximum Percentage Debt to Capitalization				67.50%
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Notes Payable One [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				13,860,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	5.44%			5.44%
Due Date				2013
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Notes Payable One [Member] | Repayment Of Debt [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				29,000,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Notes Payable Two [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				10,590,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	4.00%			4.00%
Due Date				2014
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Notes Payable Three [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				15,353,000
Interest Rate				Variable
Due Date				2015
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Notes Payable Four [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				17,924,000
Interest Rate				Variable
Due Date				2016
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Notes Payable Five [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				12,414,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	2.12%			2.12%
Due Date				2016
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Notes Payable Six [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				7,552,000
Interest Rate				Variable
Due Date				2016
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Notes Payable Seven [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				109,500,000
Interest Rate				Variable
Due Date				2016
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				20,000,000	[6]
Interest Rate				Variable
Due Date				2015
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Long Term Debt Two [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				371,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	6.00%			6.00%
Due Date				2025
Ohio Power Co [Member]
Long-term Debt
Total Long-term Debt Outstanding	3,860,242,000			3,860,242,000			4,054,148,000
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	856,000,000			856,000,000			244,500,000
Long-term Debt	2,804,242,000			2,804,242,000			3,609,648,000
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				194,500,000		165,000,000
Utility Money Pool Participants' Money Pool Activity and Authorized Borrowing Limits
Maximum Borrowings from Utility Money Pool				126,975,000
Maximum Loans to Utility Money Pool				290,356,000
Average Borrowings from Utility Money Pool				47,820,000
Average Loans to Utility Money Pool				92,517,000
Net Loans (Borrowings) to/from Utility Money Pool	124,606,000			124,606,000
Authorized Short-term Borrowing Limit				600,000,000
Maximum and Minimum Interest Rates
Maximum Interest Rate				0.56%		0.56%
Minimum Interest Rate				0.44%		0.06%
Average Interest Rates for Funds Borrowed from and Loaned to Utility Money Pool
Average Interest Rate for Funds Borrowed				0.47%		0.45%
Average Interest Rate for Funds Loaned				0.50%		0.31%
Accounts Receivable and Accrued Unbilled Revenues
Accounts Receivable and Accrued Unbilled Revenues	322,440,000			322,440,000			346,695,000
Fees Paid to AEP Credit for Customer Accounts Receivable Sold
Fees Paid to AEP Credit for Customer Accounts Receivable Sold	5,362,000		5,585,000	15,900,000		14,025,000
Proceeds from Sale of Receivables
Proceeds from Sale of Receivables to AEP Credit	790,115,000		956,909,000	2,284,749,000		2,699,782,000
Financing Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amount Indicated on Cash Flows				0		49,757,000
Auction Rate Tax Exempt Long Term Debt Outstanding	463,000,000			463,000,000
Maximum Percentage Debt to Capitalization				67.50%
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Pollution Control Bonds One [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				44,500,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	4.85%			4.85%
Due Date				2012
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes One [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				150,000,000
Interest Rate				Variable
Due Date				2012
Public Service Co Of Oklahoma [Member]
Long-term Debt
Total Long-term Debt Outstanding	949,884,000			949,884,000			947,364,000
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	761,000			761,000			311,000
Long-term Debt	949,123,000			949,123,000			947,053,000
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				130,000		275,000,000
Utility Money Pool Participants' Money Pool Activity and Authorized Borrowing Limits
Maximum Borrowings from Utility Money Pool				0
Maximum Loans to Utility Money Pool				177,778,000
Average Borrowings from Utility Money Pool				0
Average Loans to Utility Money Pool				93,219,000
Net Loans (Borrowings) to/from Utility Money Pool	107,459,000			107,459,000
Authorized Short-term Borrowing Limit				300,000,000
Maximum and Minimum Interest Rates
Maximum Interest Rate				0.56%		0.56%
Minimum Interest Rate				0.44%		0.06%
Average Interest Rates for Funds Borrowed from and Loaned to Utility Money Pool
Average Interest Rate for Funds Borrowed				0.00%		0.41%
Average Interest Rate for Funds Loaned				0.47%		0.26%
Accounts Receivable and Accrued Unbilled Revenues
Accounts Receivable and Accrued Unbilled Revenues	127,008,000			127,008,000			123,172,000
Fees Paid to AEP Credit for Customer Accounts Receivable Sold
Fees Paid to AEP Credit for Customer Accounts Receivable Sold	1,990,000		2,081,000	5,547,000		4,798,000
Proceeds from Sale of Receivables
Proceeds from Sale of Receivables to AEP Credit	342,819,000		436,339,000	919,343,000		1,021,967,000
Financing Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amount Indicated on Cash Flows				2,395,000		247,481,000
Public Service Co Of Oklahoma [Member] | Notes Payable One [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				2,395,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	3.00%			3.00%
Due Date				2027
Public Service Co Of Oklahoma [Member] | Notes Payable Two [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				130,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	3.00%			3.00%
Due Date				2027
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member]
Long-term Debt
Total Long-term Debt Outstanding	2,046,139,000			2,046,139,000			1,728,637,000
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	3,250,000			3,250,000			20,000,000
Long-term Debt	2,042,889,000			2,042,889,000			1,708,637,000
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				21,625,000		41,135,000
Utility Money Pool Participants' Money Pool Activity and Authorized Borrowing Limits
Maximum Borrowings from Utility Money Pool				227,087,000
Maximum Loans to Utility Money Pool				128,227,000
Average Borrowings from Utility Money Pool				147,338,000
Average Loans to Utility Money Pool				62,312,000
Net Loans (Borrowings) to/from Utility Money Pool	128,227,000			128,227,000
Authorized Short-term Borrowing Limit				350,000,000
Maximum and Minimum Interest Rates
Maximum Interest Rate				0.56%		0.56%
Minimum Interest Rate				0.44%		0.06%
Average Interest Rates for Funds Borrowed from and Loaned to Utility Money Pool
Average Interest Rate for Funds Borrowed				0.53%		0.34%
Average Interest Rate for Funds Loaned				0.47%		0.33%
Short-term Debt:
Line of Credit - Sabine	0			0			17,016,000
Line of Credit - Sabine	0.00%	[5]		0.00%	[5]		1.79%	[5]
Accounts Receivable and Accrued Unbilled Revenues
Accounts Receivable and Accrued Unbilled Revenues	160,802,000			160,802,000			140,440,000
Fees Paid to AEP Credit for Customer Accounts Receivable Sold
Fees Paid to AEP Credit for Customer Accounts Receivable Sold	1,786,000		1,850,000	4,720,000		4,254,000
Proceeds from Sale of Receivables
Proceeds from Sale of Receivables to AEP Credit	444,461,000		475,219,000	1,145,182,000		1,165,245,000
Financing Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amount Indicated on Cash Flows				336,429,000		0
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Notes Payable One [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				65,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	4.58%			4.58%
Due Date				2032
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Notes Payable Two [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				20,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	7.03%			7.03%
Due Date				2012
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Notes Payable Three [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Retirements and Principal Payments				1,625,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	4.58%			4.58%
Due Date				2032
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes One [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				275,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	3.55%			3.55%
Due Date				2022
AEP Transmission Company, LLC [Member] | Issuance Of Debt [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				250,000,000
AEP Transmission Company, LLC [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes One [Member] | Issuance Of Debt [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				104,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	3.30%			3.30%
Due Date				2022
AEP Transmission Company, LLC [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes Two [Member] | Issuance Of Debt [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				85,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	4.00%			4.00%
Due Date				2032
AEP Transmission Company, LLC [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes Three [Member] | Issuance Of Debt [Member]
Long-term Debt and Other Securities Issued, Retired and Principal Payments Made
Issuances				$ 61,000,000
Interest Rate (Percentage)	4.73%			4.73%
Due Date				2042

[1] Pursuant to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, IandM, a nuclear licensee, has an obligation to the United States Department of Energy for spent nuclear fuel disposal. The obligation includes a one-time fee for nuclear fuel consumed prior to April 7, 1983. Trust fund assets related to this obligation were $308 million as of both September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and are included in Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts on our condensed balance sheets.

[2] Amount indicated on the statement of cash flows of $1.6 billion is net of issuance costs and premium or discount.

[3] Amount of securitized debt for receivables as accounted for under the ''Transfers and Servicing'' accounting guidance.

[4] This line of credit does not reduce available liquidity under AEP's credit facilities.

[5] Weighted average rate.

[6] Consists of a $110 million three-year credit facility to be used for general corporate purposes.