Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at September 30,	$ 121,000
Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract]
Original WV Corporate Income Tax Rate	7.75%
Reduced WV Corporate Income Tax Rate	7.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	121,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member]
Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract]
Original WV Corporate Income Tax Rate	7.75%
Reduced WV Corporate Income Tax Rate	7.00%
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member]
Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract]
Original WV Corporate Income Tax Rate	7.75%
Reduced WV Corporate Income Tax Rate	7.00%
Ohio Power Co [Member]
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31,	43,565
Increase - Tax Positions Taken During a Prior Period	0
Decrease - Tax Positions Taken During a Prior Period	(23,813)
Increase - Tax Positions Taken During the Current Year	0
Decrease - Tax Positions Taken During the Current Year	0
Decrease - Settlements with Taxing Authorities	(4,742)
Decrease - Lapse of the Applicable Statute of Limitations	0
Balance at September 30,	15,010
Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract]
Original WV Corporate Income Tax Rate	7.75%
Reduced WV Corporate Income Tax Rate	7.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 15,010

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West Virginia corporate income tax rate to take effect in 2013 after reduction provided by legislation signed in 2008.

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West Virginia original corporate income tax rate before reduction provided by legislation signed in 2008.

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The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns as of the balance sheet date.

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The gross amount of decreases in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions that have been or will be taken in the tax return for the current period, excluding amounts pertaining to examined tax returns.

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