Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash Flow Hedges, Tax	$ 7,000,000	$ 11,000,000	$ 4,000,000	$ 8,000,000
Securities Available for Sale, Tax	0	2,000,000	1,000,000	2,000,000
Amortization of Pension and OPEB Deferred Costs, Tax	4,000,000	3,000,000	12,000,000	9,000,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member]
Cash Flow Hedges, Tax	925,000	239,000	940,000	413,000
Amortization of Pension and OPEB Deferred Costs, Tax	484,000	418,000	1,453,000	1,255,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member]
Cash Flow Hedges, Tax	(217,000)	(2,633,000)	(2,897,000)	(2,063,000)
Amortization of Pension and OPEB Deferred Costs, Tax	150,000	128,000	450,000	383,000
Ohio Power Co [Member]
Cash Flow Hedges, Tax	956,000	648,000	111,000	368,000
Amortization of Pension and OPEB Deferred Costs, Tax	1,745,000	1,577,000	5,234,000	4,421,000
Public Service Co Of Oklahoma [Member]
Cash Flow Hedges, Tax	28,000	233,000	250,000	640,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member]
Cash Flow Hedges, Tax	376,000	5,332,000	367,000	5,195,000
Amortization of Pension and OPEB Deferred Costs, Tax	$ 90,000	$ 475,000	$ 269,000	$ 206,000