<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000003673</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ALLEGHENY ENERGY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AYE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001263365</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VOGLER ROBERT T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ALLEGHENY ENERGY, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>800 CABIN HILL DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENSBURG</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>15601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Former Acting Secretary</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Allegheny Energy, Inc. common stock, ($1.25 par value/share)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1312.588</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock options (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The sole purpose of this filing is to report that the filing person is no longer subject to Section 16. The securities
reported reflect the reporting person's ownership of the issuer's securities at the time that the reporting person ceased
to be subject to Section 16.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The options are exercisable on a 1-for-1 basis at an exercise price of $13.35 per share.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">One-fifth of the options will vest on each February 18 from 2005 through 2009, provided that the reporting person is an
employee of the issuer on the applicable vesting date. Upon the occurrence of a change in control of the issuer (as
defined), all of the options will immediately vest.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert T. Vogler</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-02-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
