Financing Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Public Service Co Of Oklahoma [Member]
Long-term Debt
Less Portion Due Within One Year	$ 233		$ 25,000
Long-term Debt	945,417		946,186
Long-term debt and other securities issued, retired and principal payments made
Retirements and Principal Payments	275,000	0
Financing Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amount Indicated on Cash Flows	247,554	0
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member]
Long-term Debt
Less Portion Due Within One Year	151,100		154,457
Long-term Debt	1,813,994		1,849,769
Long-term debt and other securities issued, retired and principal payments made
Retirements and Principal Payments	116,526	19,208
Financing Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amount Indicated on Cash Flows	76,624	84,564
Appalachian Power Co [Member]
Long-term Debt
Less Portion Due Within One Year	229,673		479,672
Long-term Debt	3,496,213		3,081,469
Long-term debt and other securities issued, retired and principal payments made
Retirements and Principal Payments	479,661	200,009
Financing Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amount Indicated on Cash Flows	640,164	363,913
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member]
Long-term Debt
Less Portion Due Within One Year	61,135		41,135
Long-term Debt	1,708,511		1,728,385
Long-term debt and other securities issued, retired and principal payments made
Retirements and Principal Payments	0	53,500
Financing Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amount Indicated on Cash Flows	0	399,411
Ohio Power Co [Member]
Long-term Debt
Less Portion Due Within One Year	50,000		165,000
Long-term Debt	2,364,781		2,364,522
Long-term debt and other securities issued, retired and principal payments made
Retirements and Principal Payments	165,000	479,450
Financing Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amount Indicated on Cash Flows	49,768	163,944
Columbus Southern Power Co [Member]
Long-term Debt
Less Portion Due Within One Year	194,500		0
Long-term Debt	1,244,469		1,438,830
Financing Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amount Indicated on Cash Flows	$ 0	$ 149,443

Financing Activities.

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Long-term debt and other securities issued, retired and principal payments made.

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Total of the portions of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of long-term debt, which may include notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans, and commercial paper, which are scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19
-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year (current maturities) or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3255-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 18
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 19
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 18
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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