Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Appalachian Power Co [Member]
Current Assets
Fuel	$ 142,478	$ 230,697
Property, Plant and Equipment
Other Property, Plant and Equipment	351,076	348,013
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	2,927,174	2,843,087
Current Liabilities
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	229,673	479,672
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term Debt	3,496,213	3,081,469
Equity
Common Stock, Par Value Per Share	$ 0	$ 0
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	13,499,500	13,499,500
Columbus Southern Power Co [Member]
Current Assets
Fuel	59,842	72,882
Property, Plant and Equipment
Other Property, Plant and Equipment	204,858	203,593
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	1,989,614	1,927,112
Current Liabilities
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	194,500	0
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term Debt	1,244,469	1,438,830
Equity
Common Stock, Par Value Per Share	$ 0	$ 0
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	24,000,000	24,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	16,410,426	16,410,426
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member]
Current Assets
Fuel	66,889	87,551
Property, Plant and Equipment
Other Property, Plant and Equipment	747,303	719,708
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	3,180,526	3,124,998
Current Liabilities
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	151,100	154,457
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term Debt	1,813,994	1,849,769
Equity
Common Stock, Par Value Per Share	$ 0	$ 0
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	2,500,000	2,500,000
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	1,400,000	1,400,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
Current Liabilities
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	74,100	77,457
Ohio Power Co [Member]
Current Assets
Fuel	219,150	257,289
Property, Plant and Equipment
Other Property, Plant and Equipment	357,456	359,254
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	3,764,752	3,606,777
Current Liabilities
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	50,000	165,000
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term Debt	2,364,781	2,364,522
Equity
Common Stock, Par Value Per Share	$ 0	$ 0
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	27,952,473	27,952,473
Public Service Co Of Oklahoma [Member]
Current Assets
Fuel	21,806	20,176
Property, Plant and Equipment
Other Property, Plant and Equipment	237,963	235,406
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	1,290,500	1,255,064
Current Liabilities
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	233	25,000
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term Debt	945,417	946,186
Equity
Common Stock, Par Value Per Share	$ 15	$ 15
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	11,000,000	11,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	10,482,000	10,482,000
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	9,013,000	9,013,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member]
Current Assets
Fuel	96,458	91,777
Property, Plant and Equipment
Other Property, Plant and Equipment	636,532	632,158
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	2,183,940	2,130,351
Current Liabilities
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year	61,135	41,135
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term Debt	1,708,511	1,728,385
Equity
Common Stock, Par Value Per Share	$ 18	$ 18
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	7,600,000	7,600,000
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	7,536,640	7,536,640
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
Current Assets
Fuel	30,966	35,055
Property, Plant and Equipment
Other Property, Plant and Equipment	229,068	224,857
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	$ 96,217	$ 91,840