COLUMBUS  (Aug. 31, 2011) --  AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), announced today that it will continue to contribute $500 to the Neighbor to Neighbor energy assistance program for every field goal made by Ohio State during the 2011 football season.  AEP Ohio donated approximately $9,500 to the program last season.  Since May 2009, AEP Ohio has collaborated with the Dollar Energy Fund to provide more than $4.86 million in assistance to help moderate to low-income customers maintain or restore electric service.

 A majority of customers today are receiving wages through employment, retirement or disability, but are struggling to make ends meet.  The Neighbor to Neighbor program assists these customers with a “hand up” instead of a “hand out”.  Since the program began, a vast majority of those who received assistance did not require additional assistance the following year.  Through the Neighbor to Neighbor Program, more than 120 community-based organizations in 49 Ohio counties have joined the program’s network and have helped 55,804 people through 19,243 utility assistance grants that are applied directly to their AEP Ohio account.

“This promotion was designed to draw attention to the on-going need Ohioans have for utility payment assistance in these challenging economic times,” said Joe Hamrock, president and chief operating officer for AEP Ohio. “AEP Ohio wants to help those who are experiencing financial hardships get back on their feet, while encouraging those who are able to contribute to this program to help their neighbors.”

Throughout the season, announcements will be made during the games about the Neighbor to Neighbor Program and the ongoing tally of AEP Ohio donations as each field goal is scored. Buckeye fans who are AEP customers will also be encouraged to make donations to help out a neighbor by “checking the box” on their AEP bill.  The program will be promoted on television by Ohio State play-by-play announcer Paul Keels during GameTime with Luke Fickell every Saturday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on 10TV and FS Ohio.

“We are proud to partner with AEP Ohio to continue to provide this much needed assistance,” said Chad Quinn, COO of Dollar Energy Fund. “With AEP Ohio’s generosity, the Neighbor to Neighbor Program has helped tens of thousands of your neighbors – adults, children and seniors – keep electric service.  You can help by donating as little as one dollar per month to the program directly through your AEP Ohio bill. A buck makes a big difference.”

AEP Ohio customers are able to contribute a dollar or more to the Neighbor to Neighbor Program and AEP will match every dollar donated to the program doubling the impact of every dollar given.  AEP Ohio customers may also make a recurring contribution through their monthly electric bill by calling AEP Ohio’s customer solution center at 800-277-2177.  Donations can also be made online at www.dollarenergyfund.org or by sending a check directly to the Ohio Neighbor to Neighbor Program, L-3285, Columbus, OH 43266-3285. All donations to the Neighbor to Neighbor Program will assist low-income AEP Ohio customers residing in Ohio.

To qualify for assistance, the total gross household income must be at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. For example, a family of four earning up to $44,700 per year is income eligible for the program. In addition, households must have made a sincere effort of payment on their electric bill in the last 90 days and have a back balance. Full eligibility guidelines and application instructions can be found at www.dollarenergyfund.org or www.aepohio.com.

AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers of major AEP subsidiaries Columbus Southern Power Company and Ohio Power Company in Ohio, and Wheeling Power Company in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio. The company serves all or part of 61 counties in Ohio and two in West Virginia.               

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 more than 38,000 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 transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. 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). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.

About Dollar Energy Fund, Inc:  Dollar Energy Fund was founded in 1983 and has grown to become one of the largest hardship funds in the United States. Dollar Energy Fund is a 501 (c) 3 organization operating in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee and West Virginia. Throughout its history, the organization has provided over $70 million in utility assistance grants to over 255,000 low-income families and individuals.

All donations to the Neighbor to Neighbor Program, administered by Dollar Energy Fund, will assist low-income families residing in Ohio. Additional information can be found on Dollar Energy Fund’s website, www.dollarenergyfund.org.