Exhibit 99(a)


              Certification Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63
                      Of Title 18 of the United States Code


I, E. Linn Draper, Jr., the chief executive officer of

                      American Electric Power Company, Inc.
                             AEP Generating Company
                            AEP Texas Central Company
                             AEP Texas North Company
                            Appalachian Power Company
                         Columbus Southern Power Company
                         Indiana Michigan Power Company
                             Kentucky Power Company
                               Ohio Power Company
                       Public Service Company of Oklahoma
                       Southwestern Electric Power Company

(the "Companies"),  certify that (i) the Annual Reports of the Companies on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (the "Reports")  fully comply with the
requirements  of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934
and (ii) the  information  contained  in the  Reports  fairly  presents,  in all
material  respects,  the  financial  condition  and results of operations of the
Companies.

/s/ E. Linn Draper, Jr.

E. Linn Draper, Jr.

March 20, 2003