UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

          BEFORE THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
____________________________________________
                                            )
In the matter of                            )
                                            )
AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC.       )
1 Riverside Plaza                           )   Certificate of
Columbus, OH   43215                        )   Notification
                                            )
SEC File No. 70-6965                        )
                                            )
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935  )
____________________________________________)

     THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY,
INC. ("AEP"), in accordance with the terms and conditions of and
for the purposes represented by the Application or Declaration
herein and the Order of the Securities and Exchange Commission
with respect thereto, dated July 17, 1984, has carried out the
transactions set forth below:
1.   American Electric Power Company, Inc., as of January 24,
     1997, acted as indemnitor on behalf of its subsidiary,
     Cardinal Operating Company ("Caradinal") in the amount of
     $3,690,000.  Cardinal is increasing the capacity of a pond
     by raising the existing dam crest.  The Ohio Division of
     Water requires that dams, dikes or impoundments built in
     areas under their jurisdiction be bonded to assure
     completion according to construction plans.
2.   American Electric Power Company, Inc., during 1997, acted as
     indemnitor on behalf of its subsidiary, Columbus Southern
     Power Company, who has entered into four performance bonds
     for the erection of four towers by Sprint Com, in the
     aggregate amount of $216,370. 
3.   American Electric Power Company, Inc., as of January 17,
     1998, acted as indemnitor on behalf of its subsidiary, Ohio
     Power Company.  This performance bond is for the lighting of
     a ball field with the City of Paulding, Ohio, in the amount
     of $42,676.
4.   American Electric Power Company, Inc., as of August 1, 1997,
     acted as indemnitor on behalf of its subsidiary, Ohio Power
     Company.  This performance bond is for the lighting of a
     ball field with the Village of Hicksville, Ohio, in the
     amount of $72,160.
5.   Pursuant to the Order of the Securities and Exchange
     Commission dated July 17, 1984, AEP will file further
     certificates of notification annually within 90 days after
     the close of the calendar year of its activities during that
     calendar year where it acted as an indemnitor, guarantor
     and/or surety in an aggregate amount not to exceed $75
     million.
6.   AEP will file a "past tense" opinion of counsel regarding
     the transactions described in Paragraphs 2 and 3, authorized
     by the Order dated July 17, 1984, at the time the last of
     such transactions has been carried out.
                            AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC.



                            By         /s/ G. P. Maloney          
                                 G. P. Maloney, Vice President

Dated:  April 15, 1998