Acquisitions Dispositions and Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended					3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010 Utility Operations [Member] AEP Texas North Co [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Utility Operations [Member] AEP Texas Central Co [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] Utility Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Ohio Power Co [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Ohio Power Co [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Ohio Power Co [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Ohio Power Co [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Ohio Power Co [Member] Utility Operations [Member] Muskingum River Plant Unit 5 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Ohio Power Co [Member] Utility Operations [Member] Sporn Plant Unit 5 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 All Other [Member]
Acquisitions Dispositions and Discontinued Operations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Cost To Purchase Transmission And Distribution Assets of VEMCO							$ 102,000,000
Transmission facilities sold to ETT					73,000,000	66,000,000
Number of ICE Shares Sold														138,000
Gain Recognized on Sale of ICE Shares														16,000,000
Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges	$ 90,000,000	$ 0	$ 90,000,000	$ 0				$ 89,824,000	$ 0	$ 89,824,000	$ 0	$ 42,000,000	$ 48,000,000