Sustainable Cost Reductions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Sustainable Cost Reductions [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$ 6,000	$ 25,000
Incurred	16,000
Settled	(29,000)
Adjustments	(6,000)
Remaining Balance	6,000	25,000
Sustainable Cost Reductions Text [Abstract]
Severance Costs		47,000
Utility Operations [Member]
Sustainable Cost Reductions Text [Abstract]
Severance Costs Percentage	94.00%
Appalachian Power Co [Member]
Sustainable Cost Reductions [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	33	1,321
Expense Allocation from AEPSC	1,355
Incurred	0
Settled	(1,908)
Adjustments	(735)
Remaining Balance	33	1,321
Sustainable Cost Reductions Text [Abstract]
Severance Costs		8,472
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member]
Sustainable Cost Reductions [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	49	1,357
Expense Allocation from AEPSC	953
Incurred	0
Settled	(1,882)
Adjustments	(379)
Remaining Balance	49	1,357
Sustainable Cost Reductions Text [Abstract]
Severance Costs		5,678
Ohio Power Co [Member]
Sustainable Cost Reductions [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	1,337	3,450
Expense Allocation from AEPSC	1,834
Incurred	6,114
Settled	(8,413)
Adjustments	(1,648)
Remaining Balance	1,337	3,450
Sustainable Cost Reductions Text [Abstract]
Severance Costs		13,498
Public Service Co Of Oklahoma [Member]
Sustainable Cost Reductions [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	25	652
Expense Allocation from AEPSC	487
Incurred	0
Settled	(642)
Adjustments	(472)
Remaining Balance	25	652
Sustainable Cost Reductions Text [Abstract]
Severance Costs		3,675
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member]
Sustainable Cost Reductions [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	107	627
Expense Allocation from AEPSC	864
Incurred	0
Settled	(1,789)
Adjustments	405
Remaining Balance	107	627
Sustainable Cost Reductions Text [Abstract]
Severance Costs		$ 5,709

Amount of costs incurred to date for the specified type of restructuring cost.

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Amount of any reversal and other adjustment made during the period to the amount of a previously accrued liability for a specified type of restructuring cost, excluding adjustments for costs incurred during the period, costs settled during the period, and foreign currency translation adjustments.

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- Definition

The charge against earnings in the period for known and estimated costs of termination benefits provided to current employees that are involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding costs or losses pertaining to an entity newly acquired in a business combination or a discontinued operation as defined by generally accepted accounting principles and costs associated with one-time termination benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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