Significant Accounting Matters (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Basic and Diluted EPS Calculations
Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders	$ 493,000	$ 433,000	$ 1,443,000	$ 1,134,000
Weighted Average Number of Basic AEP Common Shares Outstanding	488,912,892	486,932,747	488,361,017	486,353,876
Total Basic Earnings Per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders	$ 1.01	$ 0.89	$ 2.95	$ 2.33
Weighted Average Dilutive Effect of:
Weighted Average Number of Diluted AEP Common Shares Outstanding	488,970,647	487,258,905	488,597,178	486,792,914
Total Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders	$ 1.01	$ 0.89	$ 2.95	$ 2.33
Amounts Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders
Net Income	493,000	433,000	1,443,000	1,134,000
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textuals) [Abstract]
Antidilutive Shares Outstanding			0	0
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member]
Basic and Diluted EPS Calculations
Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders	73,438	6,862	126,995	46,491
Amounts Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders
Net Income	$ 73,438	$ 6,862	$ 126,995	$ 46,491
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Weighted Average Dilutive Effect of:
Weighted Average Dilutive Effect of Shares	100,000	400,000	200,000	400,000
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0.0	$ 0.0