Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Securitization Bonds	$ 2,413,000,000			$ 2,413,000,000			$ 2,686,000,000
Securitized Transition Assets	2,159,000,000			2,159,000,000			2,373,000,000
AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Minimum Percentage of Equity AEP Provides				5.00%
Percentage of Short Term Borrowing Needs in Excess of Third Party Financings				20.00%
AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Securitization Bonds	1,800,000,000			1,800,000,000			2,000,000,000
Securitized Transition Assets	1,700,000,000			1,700,000,000			1,900,000,000
Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Insurance Premium Expense to Protected Cell	16,000,000		15,000,000	33,000,000		30,000,000
PATH West Virginia Transmission Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	25,000,000			25,000,000			25,000,000
Maximum Exposure	25,000,000			25,000,000			25,000,000
Capital Contribution From Parent [Member] | PATH West Virginia Transmission Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	19,000,000			19,000,000			19,000,000
Maximum Exposure	19,000,000			19,000,000			19,000,000
Retained Earnings [Member] | PATH West Virginia Transmission Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	6,000,000			6,000,000			6,000,000
Maximum Exposure	6,000,000			6,000,000			6,000,000
Current Assets [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	1,006,000,000			1,006,000,000			935,000,000
Current Assets [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	198,000,000			198,000,000			232,000,000
Current Assets [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	158,000,000			158,000,000			143,000,000
Current Assets [Member] | Transource Energy [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	3,000,000			3,000,000
Net Property Plant And Equipment [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	0			0			0
Net Property Plant And Equipment [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	0			0			0
Net Property Plant And Equipment [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	0			0			0
Net Property Plant And Equipment [Member] | Transource Energy [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	82,000,000			82,000,000
Other Non Current Assets [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	0			0			1,000,000
Other Non Current Assets [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	1,730,000,000	[1]		1,730,000,000	[1]		1,918,000,000	[2]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Intercompany Item Eliminated in Consolidation	77,000,000			77,000,000			82,000,000
Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	3,000,000			3,000,000			3,000,000
Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Transource Energy [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	4,000,000			4,000,000
Total Assets [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	1,006,000,000			1,006,000,000			936,000,000
Total Assets [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	1,928,000,000			1,928,000,000			2,150,000,000
Total Assets [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	161,000,000			161,000,000			146,000,000
Total Assets [Member] | Transource Energy [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	89,000,000			89,000,000
Current Liabilities [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	910,000,000			910,000,000			827,000,000
Current Liabilities [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	313,000,000			313,000,000			312,000,000
Current Liabilities [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	50,000,000			50,000,000			39,000,000
Current Liabilities [Member] | Transource Energy [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	11,000,000			11,000,000
Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	0			0			1,000,000
Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	1,597,000,000			1,597,000,000			1,820,000,000
Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	70,000,000			70,000,000			66,000,000
Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Transource Energy [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	49,000,000			49,000,000
Equity [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	96,000,000			96,000,000			108,000,000
Equity [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	18,000,000			18,000,000			18,000,000
Equity [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	41,000,000			41,000,000			41,000,000
Equity [Member] | Transource Energy [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	29,000,000			29,000,000
Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | AEP Credit, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	1,006,000,000			1,006,000,000			936,000,000
Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | AEP Texas Central Transition Funding Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	1,928,000,000			1,928,000,000			2,150,000,000
Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | Protected Cell Of Energy Insurance Services, Inc. [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	161,000,000			161,000,000			146,000,000
Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | Transource Energy [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	89,000,000			89,000,000
Great Plains Energy Inc. [Member] | Transource Energy [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Equity and Voting Ownership Percentage	13.50%			13.50%
Transource Energy [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Equity and Voting Ownership Percentage	86.50%			86.50%
Appalachian Power Co [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Securitized Transition Assets	355,561,000			355,561,000			369,355,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Securitization Bonds	368,000,000			368,000,000			380,000,000
Securitized Transition Assets	356,000,000			356,000,000			369,000,000
Intercompany Item Eliminated in Consolidation	4,000,000			4,000,000			4,000,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Billings from American Electric Power Service Corporation [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	50,143,000		39,779,000	154,239,000		120,315,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	50,143,000		39,779,000	154,239,000		120,315,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEPSC's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	15,634,000			15,634,000			20,191,000
Maximum Exposure	15,634,000			15,634,000			20,191,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	10,298,000			10,298,000			5,891,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	363,805,000	[3]		363,805,000	[3]		378,029,000	[3]
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Total Assets [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	374,103,000			374,103,000			383,920,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	24,238,000			24,238,000			14,000,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	347,963,000			347,963,000			368,018,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Equity [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	1,902,000			1,902,000			1,902,000
Appalachian Power Co [Member] | Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	374,103,000			374,103,000			383,920,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Payments Made by I&M to DCC Fuel	28,000,000		32,000,000	84,000,000		96,000,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Billings from AEP Generating Co [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	66,560,000		66,114,000	202,171,000		177,840,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	66,560,000		66,114,000	202,171,000		177,840,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Billings from American Electric Power Service Corporation [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	30,613,000		25,988,000	92,686,000		82,192,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	30,613,000		25,988,000	92,686,000		82,192,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEPSC's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	9,086,000			9,086,000			12,864,000
Maximum Exposure	9,086,000			9,086,000			12,864,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEGCo's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	21,525,000			21,525,000			23,916,000
Maximum Exposure	21,525,000			21,525,000			23,916,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	68,819,000			68,819,000			117,762,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Net Property Plant And Equipment [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	73,468,000			73,468,000			156,820,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Other Non Current Assets [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	26,843,000			26,843,000			60,450,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Total Assets [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	169,130,000			169,130,000			335,032,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	64,754,000			64,754,000			107,815,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	104,376,000			104,376,000			227,217,000
Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member] | Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | DCC Fuel [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	169,130,000			169,130,000			335,032,000
Public Service Co Of Oklahoma [Member] | Billings from American Electric Power Service Corporation [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	24,317,000		19,535,000	71,646,000		57,504,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	24,317,000		19,535,000	71,646,000		57,504,000
Public Service Co Of Oklahoma [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEPSC's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	7,636,000			7,636,000			10,596,000
Maximum Exposure	7,636,000			7,636,000			10,596,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	41,000,000		41,000,000	121,000,000		125,000,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	41,000,000		41,000,000	121,000,000		125,000,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Dolet Hills Lignite Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	10,704,000			10,704,000			9,243,000
Maximum Exposure	123,994,000			123,994,000			70,591,000
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	24,000,000		21,000,000	31,000,000		53,000,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	24,000,000		21,000,000	31,000,000		53,000,000
Percentage of VIE Sales of Lignite Produced				50.00%
Percentage of DHLCs Debt Guaranteed by Each SWEPCo and CLECO				50.00%
Percentage of Management Fee Received by SWEPCo from DHLC				100.00%
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Billings from American Electric Power Service Corporation [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	32,787,000		28,431,000	98,528,000		85,506,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	32,787,000		28,431,000	98,528,000		85,506,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEPSC's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	8,718,000			8,718,000			13,520,000
Maximum Exposure	8,718,000			8,718,000			13,520,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Capital Contribution From Parent [Member] | Dolet Hills Lignite Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	7,643,000			7,643,000			7,643,000
Maximum Exposure	7,643,000			7,643,000			7,643,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member] | Dolet Hills Lignite Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	3,061,000			3,061,000			1,600,000
Maximum Exposure	3,061,000			3,061,000			1,600,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | SWEPCo's Guarantee Of Debt [Member] | Dolet Hills Lignite Co, LLC [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	0			0			0
Maximum Exposure	113,290,000			113,290,000			61,348,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	61,855,000			61,855,000			66,478,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Net Property Plant And Equipment [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	148,098,000			148,098,000			157,274,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	51,098,000			51,098,000			51,211,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Total Assets [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	261,051,000			261,051,000			274,963,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	30,592,000			30,592,000			32,812,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	230,128,000			230,128,000			241,673,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Equity [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	331,000			331,000			478,000
Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member] | Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | Sabine Mining Co [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	261,051,000			261,051,000			274,963,000
AEP Generating Co [Member] | Rockport Generating Plant (Unit No. 1) [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Jointly Owned Utility Plant, Proportionate Ownership Share	50.00%			50.00%
AEP Generating Co [Member] | Rockport Generating Plant (Unit No. 2) [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage Interest in Rockport Plant Unit 2 Lease	50.00%			50.00%
AEP Generating Co [Member] | Lawrenceburg Generating Station [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Jointly Owned Utility Plant, Proportionate Ownership Share	100.00%			100.00%
Cleco Power, LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage of VIE Sales of Lignite Produced				50.00%
First Energy Corp [Member] | Allegheny Series [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage Ownership of "Allegheny Series" by a Nonaffiliated Company				100.00%
Ohio Power Co [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Securitized Transition Assets	115,806,000			115,806,000			131,582,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Billings from AEP Generating Co [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	0		37,255,000	0		107,876,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	0		37,255,000	0		107,876,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Billings from American Electric Power Service Corporation [Member]
Billings from Affiliates
Billings from VIE	41,212,000		58,528,000	120,696,000		169,949,000
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Billings from VIE	41,212,000		58,528,000	120,696,000		169,949,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEPSC's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	12,553,000			12,553,000			31,425,000
Maximum Exposure	12,553,000			12,553,000			31,425,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Carrying Amount in AEGCo's Accounts Payable [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
As Reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	0			0			12,810,000
Maximum Exposure	0			0			12,810,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Securitization Bonds	232,000,000			232,000,000			267,000,000
Securitized Transition Assets	116,000,000			116,000,000			132,000,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	21,657,000			21,657,000			23,198,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	221,070,000	[4]		221,070,000	[4]		251,409,000	[4]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Intercompany Item Eliminated in Consolidation	102,000,000			102,000,000			116,000,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Total Assets [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
ASSETS
Assets	242,727,000			242,727,000			274,607,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	46,263,000			46,263,000			36,470,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	195,127,000			195,127,000			236,800,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Equity [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	1,337,000			1,337,000			1,337,000
Ohio Power Co [Member] | Total Liabilities And Equity [Member] | Ohio Phase-In-Recovery Funding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity	$ 242,727,000			$ 242,727,000			$ 274,607,000

[1] Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation of $77 million

[2] Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation of $82 million

[3] Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 of $4 million and $4 million, respectively.

[4] Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 of $102 million and $116 million, respectively.