COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 9, 2006 – G.I. Jobs magazine is recognizing American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) as one of the nation’s most “military-friendly” employers for the fourth consecutive year.

G.I. Jobs helps provide training and career opportunities for veterans and those in transition from military to civilian employment. AEP ranked highest of the four electric utility companies on this year’s list of the top 50 military-friendly employers, announced today. The honored companies were selected from a pool of approximately 2,500 corporations with annual revenues of at least $1 billion.

AEP, which placed 27th, also is among only seven companies that have been named to the list each year since its inception in 2003. Leading this year’s list are Union Pacific, The Home Depot and Johnson Controls.

Companies were selected for recognition based on the strength of their military recruiting efforts and company policies toward National Guard and reserve service, among other criteria.

“It’s a great honor to be named one of the most military-friendly employers by G.I. Jobs once again,” said Michael G. Morris, AEP’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Military experience provides people with the kinds of skills that are valued at AEP, and we’re pleased to be able to hire so many who have served our country.”

Nearly 2,400 of AEP’s approximately 20,500 employees have served in the military.

AEP enhanced its military leave policy in 2004, extending pay differential and benefits for up to two years for reservists and National Guard members who are called to active duty in emergency situations.

American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2006.