Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Minimum Percentage of Equity AEP Provides	5.00%
Securitization Bonds	$ 2,574,000,000			$ 2,686,000,000
Securitized Transition Assets	2,308,000,000			2,373,000,000
AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage of Short Term Borrowing Needs in Excess of Third Party Financings	20.00%
AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Securitization Bonds	2,000,000,000			2,000,000,000
Securitized Transition Assets	1,800,000,000			1,900,000,000
Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Insurance Premium Expense to Protected Cell	16,000,000		15,000,000
PATH West Virginia Transmission Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	25,000,000			25,000,000
Maximum Exposure	25,000,000			25,000,000
Transource Energy, LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Equity and Voting Ownership Percentage	86.50%
Capital Contribution From Parent [Member] | PATH West Virginia Transmission Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	19,000,000			19,000,000
Maximum Exposure	19,000,000			19,000,000
Retained Earnings [Member] | PATH West Virginia Transmission Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	6,000,000			6,000,000
Maximum Exposure	6,000,000			6,000,000
Current Assets [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	1,004,000,000			935,000,000
Current Assets [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	166,000,000			232,000,000
Current Assets [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	152,000,000			143,000,000
Current Assets [Member] | Transource Energy, LLC [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	4,000,000
Net Property Plant And Equipment [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	0			0
Net Property Plant And Equipment [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	0			0
Net Property Plant And Equipment [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	0			0
Net Property Plant And Equipment [Member] | Transource Energy, LLC [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	57,000,000
Other Non Current Assets [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	0			1,000,000
Other Non Current Assets [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	1,861,000,000	[1]		1,918,000,000	[2]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Intercompany Item Eliminated in Consolidation	81,000,000			82,000,000
Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	3,000,000			3,000,000
Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Transource Energy, LLC [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	5,000,000
Total Assets [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	1,004,000,000			936,000,000
Total Assets [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	2,027,000,000			2,150,000,000
Total Assets [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	155,000,000			146,000,000
Total Assets [Member] | Transource Energy, LLC [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	66,000,000
Current Liabilities [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	894,000,000			827,000,000
Current Liabilities [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	304,000,000			312,000,000
Current Liabilities [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	48,000,000			39,000,000
Current Liabilities [Member] | Transource Energy, LLC [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	18,000,000
Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	1,000,000			1,000,000
Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	1,705,000,000			1,820,000,000
Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	67,000,000			66,000,000
Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Transource Energy, LLC [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	28,000,000
Equity [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	109,000,000			108,000,000
Equity [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	18,000,000			18,000,000
Equity [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	40,000,000			41,000,000
Equity [Member] | Transource Energy, LLC [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	20,000,000
Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	1,004,000,000			936,000,000
Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	2,027,000,000			2,150,000,000
Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	155,000,000			146,000,000
Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | Transource Energy, LLC [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	66,000,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Securitized Transition Assets	364,984,000			369,355,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Billings from American Electric Power Service Corporation [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	50,136,000		39,040,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	50,136,000		39,040,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEPSC's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	19,304,000			20,191,000
Maximum Exposure	19,304,000			20,191,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Securitization Bonds	380,000,000			380,000,000
Securitized Transition Assets	365,000,000			369,000,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	15,981,000			5,891,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Net Property Plant And Equipment [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	0			0
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	373,521,000	[3]		378,029,000	[3]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Intercompany Item Eliminated in Consolidation	4,000,000			4,000,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Total Assets [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	389,502,000			383,920,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	27,682,000			14,000,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	359,919,000			368,018,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Equity [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	1,901,000			1,902,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	389,502,000			383,920,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Payments Made by I&M to DCC Fuel	25,000,000		26,000,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Billings from AEP Generating Co [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	70,422,000		58,535,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	70,422,000		58,535,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Billings from American Electric Power Service Corporation [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	31,969,000		27,498,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	31,969,000		27,498,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEPSC's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	12,040,000			12,864,000
Maximum Exposure	12,040,000			12,864,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEGCo's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	24,364,000			23,916,000
Maximum Exposure	24,364,000			23,916,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	109,374,000			117,762,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Net Property Plant And Equipment [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	129,013,000			156,820,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Other Non Current Assets [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	44,853,000			60,450,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Total Assets [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	283,240,000			335,032,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	100,141,000			107,815,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	183,099,000			227,217,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	283,240,000			335,032,000
Ohio Power Co [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Securitized Transition Assets	126,597,000			131,582,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Securitization Bonds	267,000,000			267,000,000
Securitized Transition Assets	127,000,000			132,000,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Billings from AEP Generating Co [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	0		38,711,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	0		38,711,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Billings from American Electric Power Service Corporation [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	39,049,000		54,069,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	39,049,000		54,069,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEPSC's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	14,046,000			31,425,000
Maximum Exposure	14,046,000			31,425,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEGCo's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	0			12,810,000
Maximum Exposure	0			12,810,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	35,958,000			23,198,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	241,814,000	[4]		251,409,000	[4]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Intercompany Item Eliminated in Consolidation	112,000,000			116,000,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Total Assets [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	277,772,000			274,607,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	59,590,000			36,470,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	216,845,000			236,800,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Equity [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	1,337,000			1,337,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	277,772,000			274,607,000
Public Service Co Of Oklahoma [Member] | Billings from American Electric Power Service Corporation [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	24,439,000		18,161,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	24,439,000		18,161,000
Public Service Co Of Oklahoma [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEPSC's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	9,330,000			10,596,000
Maximum Exposure	9,330,000			10,596,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	39,000,000		44,000,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	39,000,000		44,000,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Dolet Hills Lignite Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	9,553,000			9,243,000
Maximum Exposure	94,743,000			70,591,000
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	2,000,000		18,000,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	2,000,000		18,000,000
Percentage of VIE Sales of Lignite Produced	50.00%
Percentage of DHLCs Debt Guaranteed by Each SWEPCo and CLECO	50.00%
Percentage of Management Fee Received by SWEPCo from DHLC	100.00%
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Billings from American Electric Power Service Corporation [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	33,023,000		27,480,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	33,023,000		27,480,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEPSC's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	12,833,000			13,520,000
Maximum Exposure	12,833,000			13,520,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Capital Contribution From Parent [Member] | Dolet Hills Lignite Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	7,643,000			7,643,000
Maximum Exposure	7,643,000			7,643,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member] | Dolet Hills Lignite Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	1,910,000			1,600,000
Maximum Exposure	1,910,000			1,600,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | SWEPCo's Guarantee Of Debt [Member] | Dolet Hills Lignite Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	0			0
Maximum Exposure	85,190,000			61,348,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	61,675,000			66,478,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Net Property Plant And Equipment [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	153,928,000			157,274,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	50,140,000			51,211,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Total Assets [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	265,743,000			274,963,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	29,257,000			32,812,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	236,142,000			241,673,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Equity [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	344,000			478,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	$ 265,743,000			$ 274,963,000
AEP Generating Co [Member] | Rockport Generating Plant (Unit No. 1) [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Jointly Owned Utility Plant, Proportionate Ownership Share	50.00%
AEP Generating Co [Member] | Rockport Generating Plant (Unit No. 2) [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage Interest in Rockport Plant Unit 2 Lease	50.00%
AEP Generating Co [Member] | Lawrenceburg Generating Station [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Jointly Owned Utility Plant, Proportionate Ownership Share	100.00%
Cleco Power, LLC [Member] | Dolet Hills Lignite Co, LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage of VIE Sales of Lignite Produced	50.00%
Great Plains Energy Inc [Member] | Transource Energy, LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Equity and Voting Ownership Percentage	13.50%
First Energy Corp [Member] | Allegheny Series [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage of Ownership in Subsidiary	100.00%

[1] Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation of $81 million.

[2]         Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation of $82 million.

[3] Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation as of March 31, 2014 of and December 31, 2013 of $4 million and $4 million, respectively.

[4] Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 of $112 million and $116 million, respectively.