American Electric Power : 2026 GRI & SASB Report (2026 AEP GRI and SASB Report)
AEP
Published on 05/12/2026 at 05:29 pm EDT
AEP's 2026 SASB &
GRI Standards Report
AEP's 2026 GRI & SASB Standards report supplements the Company's Corporate Impact Report, providing a comprehensive view of additional quantitative metrics and qualitative narrative in guidance with the GRI Standards and Electric Utility Sector Supplement, as well as SASB's standards for Electric Utilities & Power Generators. These standards are voluntary reporting frameworks used by organizations around the world
as a basis for providing decision-useful, industry-based disclosure on sustainability issues. This report is also in partial alignment with the ISSB S1 Standards: General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information.
Quantitative data and qualitative statements reflect 2025 performance year. For more information, please contact:
Melissa Tominack
Managing Director, Corporate Sustainability American Electric Power [email protected]
Kate Kirk
Sustainability Lead, Corporate Sustainability American Electric Power
Electric Utilities & Power Generators
Topic Index Accounting Metric Response
Greenhouse Gas
IF-EU-110a.1
(1) Gross global Scope 1 emissions, percentage covered
EEI Investor Sustainability Report
Emissions & Energy
under
2025 CDP Corporate Questionnaire
Resource Planning
(2) emissions-limiting regulations, and
(3) emissions-reporting regulations
IF-EU-110a.2
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with
Appendix 1
power deliveries
IF-EU-110a.3
Discussion of long-term and short-term strategy or plan
2026 Impact Report (Operational Excellence)
to manage Scope 1 emissions, emissions reduction
2025 CDP Corporate Questionnaire
targets, and an analysis of performance against those
targets
Air Quality
IF-EU120a.1
Air emissions of the following pollutants:
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Reporting
(1) NOx (excluding N2O)
2025 CDP Corporate Questionnaire
(2) SOx,
(3) particulate matter (PM10),
(4) lead (Pb), and
(5) mercury (Hg)
Percentage of each in or near areas of dense
population
Water Management
IF-EU140a.1
(1) Total water withdrawn
Performance Data
(2) Total water consumed, percentage of each in
2025 CDP Corporate Questionnaire
regions with High or Extremely High Baseline Water
Stress
IF-EU140a.3
Description of water management risks and discussion
2026 Impact Report (Water Usage & Management)
of strategies and practices to mitigate those risks
2025 CDP Corporate Questionnaire
Coal Ash
IF-EU150a.1
Amount of coal combustion residuals (CCR) generated;
2026 Impact Report (Waste Management Section)
management
percentage recycled
IF-EU150a.3
Description of coal combustion products (CCPs)
CCR Rule Compliance
management policies and procedures for active and
inactive operations
Energy Affordability
IF-EU-240a.1
Average retail electric rate for
residential
commercial
industrial customers
Retail rates for residential customers can be found on operating company websites.
AEP Ohio AEP Texas
Appalachian Power Indiana Michigan Power Kentucky Power
Public Service Company of Oklahoma Southwestern Electric Power Company
IF-EU-240a.3
IF-EU-240a.4
Number of residential customer electric disconnections for non-payment, percentage reconnected within 30 days
Discussion of impact of external factors on customer affordability of electricity, including the economic conditions of the service territory
Appendix 2
2026 Impact Report (Customer Service)
Workforce Health and Safety
IF-EU320a.1
Total recordable incident rate (TRIR)
fatality rate
near miss frequency rate (NMFR)
for (a) direct employees and (b) contract employees
Performance Data
End-Use Efficiency & Demand
IF-EU-420a.2
IF-EU-420a.3
Percentage of electric load served by smart grid technology
Customer electricity savings from efficiency measures,
Performance Data
Performance Data
by market
2026 Impact Report (Customer Service)
Nuclear Safety & Emergency Management
IF-EU540a.1
Total number of nuclear power units, broken down by results of most recent independent safety review
AEP has two nuclear power units operating at the Cook Nuclear Plant in Michigan
Indiana Michigan Cook Nuclear Plant
IF-EU540a.2
Description of efforts to manage nuclear safety and emergency preparedness
Cook Nuclear Plant Emergency Plan 2025 Form 10K (PDF pgs. 33-34 & 37)
Grid Resiliency IF-EU 550a.1 Number of incidents of non-compliance with physical
and/or cybersecurity standards or regulations
IF-EU-550a.2 (1) System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI)
System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI)
Customer Average Interruption Duration Index
See GRI 418-1
Performance Data
(CAIDI), inclusive of major event days
Activity Metrics IF-EU-000.A Number of:
residential
commercial,
industrial customers served
IF-EU-000.B Total electricity delivered to:
residential
commercial
industrial
all other retail customers
wholesale customers
2025 Form 10K
Appendix 3
IF-EU-000.C Length of transmission and distribution lines AEP Facts
IF-EU-000.D Total electricity generated, percentage by major energy source, percentage in regulated markets
EEI Investor Sustainability Report
IF-EU-000.E Total wholesale electricity purchased EEI Investor Sustainability Report
GRI 2: General Disclosures 2021
Index
Description
Response
2-1
Organizational details
AEP Facts
2025 Form 10K (PDF pg. 1)
2-2
Entities included in the organization's sustainability reporting
2025 Form 10K (PDF pg. 1)
2-3
Reporting period, frequency and contact point
Page 2 of this report
2-4
Restatements of information
No Significant Restatements
2-6
Activities, value chain and other business relationships
2025 Form 10K
2-7
Employees
Appendix 4
2-8
Workers who are not employees
Business to Business
2-9
Governance structure and composition
Governance
2-10
Nomination and selection of the highest governance body
2026 Proxy Statement
2-11
Chair of the highest governance body
Bill Fehrman: Chair, President, & CEO
2-12
Role of the highest governance body in overseeing the management of impacts
2026 Proxy Statement
2-13
Delegation of responsibility for managing impacts
2026 Proxy Statement
2-14
Role of the highest governance body in sustainability reporting
2026 Proxy Statement
2-15
Conflicts of interest
AEP's Principles of Business Conduct (PDF pg.37)
2-16
Communication of critical concerns
AEP's Principles of Business Conduct (PDF pgs. 41-44)
2-17
Collective knowledge of the highest governance body
2026 Proxy Statement
2-18
Evaluation of the performance of the highest governance body
2026 Proxy Statement
2-19
Remuneration policies
2026 Proxy Statement
2-20
Process to determine remuneration
2026 Proxy Statement
2-21
Annual total compensation ratio
2026 Proxy Statement
2-22
Statement on sustainable development strategy
2026 Impact Report (Operational Excellence & Customer Service)
2-23
Policy commitments
Reports and Policies
2-24
Embedding policy commitments
Appendix 5
2-25
Processes to remediate negative impacts
2026 Impact Report
2-26
Mechanisms for seeking advice and raising concerns
AEP's Principles of Business Conduct (PDF Pgs. 41-44)
2-27
Compliance with laws and regulations
2025 Form 10K
2-28
Membership associations
Political Engagement
2-29
Approach to stakeholder engagement
2026 Impact Report (Customer Service)
2-30
Collective bargaining agreements
AEP's Human Rights Policy
GRI 3: Material Topics 2021
Index
Description
Response
3-1
Process to determine material topics
2026 Impact Report
2025 Form 10K
3-2
List of material topics
2026 Impact Report
2025 Form 10K
3-3
Management of material topics
2026 Impact Report
2026 Proxy Statement
GRI 101
: Biodiversity 2024
Index
Description
Response
101-2
Management of Biodiversity Impacts
Appendix 6
Appendix 7
Appendix 8
101-4
Identification of Biodiversity Impacts
Appendix 9
101-5
Locations with Biodiversity Impacts
Appendix 6
Appendix 8
Appendix 9
GRI 102
: Climate Change 2025
Index
Description
Response
102-1
Transition Plan for Climate Change Mitigation
2025 CDP Corporate Questionnaire
102-2
Climate Change Adaptation Plan
2025 CDP Corporate Questionnaire
102-4
GHG Emissions Reduction Targets & Progress
2026 Impact Report (Operational Excellence) 2025 CDP Corporate Questionnaire
102-5
Scope 1 GHG Emissions
EEI Investor Sustainability Report
102-6
Scope 2 GHG Emissions
EEI Investor Sustainability Report
102-7
Scope 3 GHG Emissions
EEI Investor Sustainability Report
102-8
GHG Emissions Intensity
EEI Investor Sustainability Report
GRI 103
: Energy 2025
Index
Description
Response
103-2
Energy Consumption & Self-Generation within the Organization
EEI Investor Sustainability Report
103-4
Energy Intensity
Performance Data
103-5
Reduction in Energy Consumption
Performance Data
GRI 201
: Economic Performance 2016
Index
Description
Response
201-1
Direct Economic Value Generated and Distributed
Appendix 10
201-2
Financial Implications and Other Risks and Opportunities Due To Climate Change
2026 Impact Report (Operational Excellence) 2025 CDP Corporate Questionnaire
2025 Form 10K
201-3
Defined Benefit Plan Obligations and Other Retirement Plans
Benefits at AEP
GRI 203
: Indirect Economic Impact 2016
Index
Description
Response
203-1
Infrastructure Investments and Services Supported
2026 Impact Report (Operational Excellence & Customer Service)
203-2
Significant Indirect Economic Impacts
Appendix 10
GRI 204
: Procurement Practices 2016
Index
Description
Response
204-1
Proportion Of Spending on Local Suppliers
Performance Data
GRI 205
: Anti-Corruption 2016
Index
Description
Response
205-1
Operations Assessed for Risks Related to Corruption
AEP's Principles of Business Conduct
205-2
Communication and Training about Anti-Corruption Policies and Procedures
AEP's Principles of Business Conduct
GRI 206
: Anti-Competitive Behavior 2016
Index
Description
Response
206-1
Legal Actions for Anti-Competitive Behavior, Anti-trust, and Monopoly Practices
2025 Form 10K (PDF pg. 69)
GRI 207
: Tax 2019
Index
Description
Response
207-1
Approach to Tax
2025 Form 10K
GRI 301
: Materials 2016
Index
Description
Response
301-1
Materials Used by Weight or Volume
Performance Data
GRI 303
: Water and Effluents 2018
Index
Description
Response
303-1
Interactions with water as a shared source
2025 CDP Corporate Questionnaire
303-2
Management of water discharge-related impacts
2025 CDP Corporate Questionnaire
303-3
Water Withdrawal
Performance Data
303-4
Water Discharge
Performance Data
303-5
Water Consumption
Performance Data
GRI 306
: Waste 2020
Index
Description
Response
306-3
Waste Generated
2026 Impact Report (Waste Management)
306-4
Waste Diverted from Disposal
Performance Data
306-5
Waste Directed to Disposal
Performance Data
GRI 401
: Employment 2016
Index
Description
Response
401-1
New Employee Hires and Employee Turnover
Performance Data
Benefits Provided to Full-Time Employees that are Not Provided to Temporary or Part-Time Employees
AEP Benefits
Parental Leave Appendix 11
GRI 403
: Occupational Health and Safety 2018
Index
Description
Response
403-8
Workers Covered by an Occupational Health and Safety Management System
2026 Impact Report (Safety & Health)
403-9
Work-Related Injuries
Performance Data
GRI 404
: Training and Education 2016
Index
Description
Response
404-1
Average Hours of Training Per Year Per Employee
Performance Data
404-2
Programs for Upgrading Employee Skills and Transition Assistance Programs
2026 Impact Report (Workforce Planning & Development)
404-3 Percentage of Employees Receiving Regular Performance and Career Development Reviews
Performance Data
GRI 405
: Diversity and Equal Opportunity 2016
Index
Description
Response
405-1
Diversity of Governance Bodies and Employees
Board of Directors
Appendix 4
GRI 406
: Non-Discrimination 2016
Index
Description
Response
406-1
Incidents of Discrimination and Corrective Actions Taken
Appendix 12
Response
Index Description
GRI 407: Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining 2016
407-1 Operations and Suppliers in which the Right to Freedom of Association and Collective
Bargaining May Be at Risk
AEP's Human Rights Policy
AEP's Supplier Code of Conduct
GRI 410
: Security Practices 2016
Index
Description
Response
410-1
Security Personnel Trained in Human Rights Policies or Procedures
AEP's Principles of Business Conduct
Response
Index Description
GRI 413: Local Communities
Operations with Local Community Engagement, Impact Assessments, and
Development Programs
2026 Impact Report (Customer Service & Workforce Planning &
Development)
GRI 415
: Public Policy 2016
Index
Description
Response
415-1
Political Contribution
Political Engagement & Lobbying at AEP
Response
Index Description
GRI 418: Customer Privacy 2016
Substantiated Complaints Concerning Breaches of Customer Privacy and Losses of
Customer Data
AEP has not had substantiated complaints concerning breaches,
nor experienced incidents of loss, regarding customer or consumer data resulting from a cyber incident within the AEP Network in 2025. Also, AEP continues to work with our third-party vendors to ensure that best practices around data protection are performed.
AEP Customer Privacy Policy
Electric Utility Sector Disclosure
Index
GRI EU1
Description
Installed Capacity
Response
EEI Investor Sustainability Report
GRI EU2
Net Energy Output
EEI Investor Sustainability Report
GRI EU3
Number of Customer Accounts
2025 Form 10K
GRI EU4
Length of Electrical Lines
AEP Facts
EU-MA EU-DMA
Aspect: Availability and Reliability
2026 Impact Report (Operational Excellence & Customer Service)
GRI EU 10
Planned Capacity
2026 Impact Report (Operational Excellence & Customer Service)
EU-MA EU-DMA
Aspect: Demand-Side Management
2026 Impact Report (Customer Service)
EU-MA EU-DMA
Aspect: Plant Decommissioning
2026 Impact Report (Operational Excellence)
EU-MA EU-DMA
Aspect: Materials
2026 Impact Report (Waste Management)
GRI EU 12
Total Distribution and Transmission Losses
Appendix 13
GRI EU 13
Biodiversity Offset Habitats
Appendix 6
Appendix 8
GRI EU 15
Employees Eligible to Retire
Performance Data
GRI EU 22
Population Displacement and Compensation
Appendix 14
EU-MA EU-DMA
Aspect: Disaster/Emergency Planning and Response
2026 Impact Report (Operational Excellence)
Cook Nuclear Plant
EU-MA EU-DMA
Aspect: Access
2026 Impact Report (Customer Service)
2025 Form 10K
GRI EU 27
Disconnections for Non-Payment
Appendix 2
GRI EU 28
Power Outage Frequency
Performance Data
GRI EU 29
Average Power Outage Duration
Performance Data
EU-MA EU-DMA
Aspect: Provision of Information
Appendix 15
Appendix 1: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with power deliveries
Electric Company
State
CO2 Lbs./MWh
AEP (Parent Company)1
--
1,135.9
AEP Ohio2
OH
906.8
Appalachian Power3
VA/WV
1,431.2
Indiana Michigan Power4 and 5
IN/MI
661.7
Kingsport Power
TN
898.1
Wheeling Power
WV
1,300.5
Public Service Company of
Oklahoma6
OK
902.7
Southwestern Electric Power
Company7
AR/LA/TX
1,539.3
Kentucky Power
KY
1,350.9
Notes:
Rates shown are in CO2 Lbs./MWh not CO2e Lbs./MWh
Rates shown are equivalent to EEI Resource Mix Residual Rates
Competitive Businesses not included.
Includes Energy Furnished Without Charge in Electricity Delivered from Purchased Power (Power purchased directly by customers from other providers)
AEP Ohio Purchased generation is to service Ohio Customers that have not chosen an alternative supplier. MWh's and Emission rates effected by REC activity
APCO had Specified Products. MWh's and Emission rates effected by REC activity
I&M data includes their 100% of Rockport 1 only
I&M had Specified Products. MWh's and Emission rates effected by EFEC and REC activity
PSO had Specified Products. MWh's and Emission rates effected by REC activity
SWEPCO had Specified Products. MWh's and Emission rates effected by REC activity
Appendix 2: Residential Customer Disconnections for Non-Payment
Metric Description
2025
2024
2023
Total Number of Customer Disconnects (all classes)
635,807
590,822
570,175
Total Number of Reconnects within 7 days (all class)
529,953
488,079
474,488
Residential Reconnects within 7 Days
506,579
467,165
456,065
Total Number of Residential Customer Disconnects
604,849
562,615
555,999
Appendix 3: Total electricity delivered
Customer Type
Vertically Integrated and Transmission and
Distribution Utilities Total (Millions of KWhs)
Residential
59,281
Commercial
72,482
Industrial
61,591
Other
2,985
Total Retail
196,339
Wholesale
18,289
Total KWhs
214,628
Appendix 4: Information on Employees and Other Workers
Notes:
1. Data as of Dec. 31, 2025
Appendix 5: Embedding Policy Commitments
Supplier Commitments:
AEP has general contract language requiring adherence to all laws and regulations in its standard terms and conditions. In addition, contracts for all major construction contractors supporting Transmission projects and Generation projects include a Contractor Environmental Requirements Document (CERD) to which the contractor must adhere. Distribution Procurement includes the CERD in all new applicable construction contracts. This document is a supplement to AEP's standard terms and conditions. Transmission contractors are also required to view an environmental orientation video ahead of working on a project site and annually thereafter. Based on the type of work performed, some contractors and
consultants must also undergo an assessment of their environmental skills, experience and qualifications before being approved to perform environmental-related scope. For contracts supporting projects and other generation work, contractors are also required under the CERD to participate in a site-specific Environmental Work Compliance Assessment at the project or facility level.
Appendix 6: Operational Sites Owned, Leased, Managed in, or Adjacent to, Protected Areas and Areas of High Biodiversity Value Outside Protected Areas
AEP owns, leases, or manages land around its power generating and transmission facilities. This includes power plant sites, office buildings, substations, transmission and distribution lines right-of-way, as well as coal fields yet to be mined, lands that have been mined, residential structures, river access points and various other sites.
Land owned near the power plants directly supports the generation of electricity, serves as a buffer to these operations, and is often leased for agriculture. AEP also operates electric transmission and distribution lines throughout its service territories in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Virginia. Of AEP's more than 40,000-mile transmission network, less than 3 percent (approx.) traverse federal or state lands. While many of the properties through which these lines cross have no special designation, some of them are protected for their ecological value.
As we build and maintain new and existing infrastructure, we are mindful of the potential impacts we may have on wildlife or habitats. This includes species protected under the Endangered Species Act and other legislation. We remain committed to following all federal, state and local environmental regulations and practicing environmental stewardship where possible when siting, constructing and operating our assets.
When assessing properties for areas of high biodiversity, we utilize several sources of information. These include the Nature Serve Map of Biodiversity Importance, which uses outputs from habitat suitability models of the most imperiled species in the lower 48 United States. The inputs include habitat models for species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act or those that have
been identified by NatureServe as critically imperiled (Global Conservation Status of "G1") or imperiled ("G2"). An example map is provided
below. Areas of high biodiversity are indicated by yellow and orange, while lower biodiversity is indicated by dark purple and blue.
When assessing government lands for new installations, we define protected or areas with potential high biodiversity as National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, National Parks, National Grasslands, Bureau of Land Management, National Recreational Lands, National Monuments, National Register of Historic Places, National Cemeteries, National Scenic Rivers, State Forests, State Parks, State Nature Preserves, State Wildlife Management Areas, State Scenic Rivers, and Tribal lands.
Some company properties are located near or adjacent to protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value. These areas are designed, regulated or managed to achieve specific conservation objectives, are recognized for important biodiversity features, are a priority for conservation, or have been identified as areas of high biodiversity value.
When environmentally sensitive areas are encountered, we utilize a variety of practices. Our first response is to avoid the areas, minimize any unavoidable impacts, and to mitigate those impacts that do occur. One way we are addressing environmental and biodiversity impacts is by working with the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan in an effort to obtain an Incidental Take Permit (ITP), which allows for limited and unintentional take of certain endangered or threatened species during the construction of transmission projects.
We have also voluntarily adopted a system-wide Avian Protection Plan to mitigate avian mortality, bird-related power outages, and other risks associated with bird interactions with our transmission and distribution assets. In addition, we have participated in a variety of research projects with the Electric Power Research Institute to support research on how utilities can assist with protecting biodiversity. For more information about how we operate in protected areas or areas of high biodiversity, please refer to the biodiversity section of our 2026 Impact Report.
Source Information - ArcGIS and Esri mapping tools; NatureServe and state Natural Heritage Programs (The Map of Biodiversity Importance [esri.com])
Appendix 7: Habitats Protected or Restored
AEP works in partnership with various community groups, conservation organizations, and environmental agencies to preserve, restore, and enhance existing habitats. This work encompasses many activities, including the reforestation and reclamation of former mine sites, the restoration of impacted wetlands and river corridors, the protection of unique habitats, the enhancement of wildlife areas and reservoirs, the management of tree plantations to encourage wildlife, and the establishment of pollinator habitat. The following habitat protection and restoration examples are split between those required by law and those that were done on a voluntary basis. The acreage values are current as of the year-end 2025.
Required by Regulation
Wetland/Stream and Habitat Mitigations
Wetland, stream, and/or habitat mitigations involve setting aside sensitive habitats to replace those that were unavoidably lost due to the construction of AEP facilities. These mitigation projects have been approved by the Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and/or state environmental agencies. Over the past several years, AEP has established approximately 2,700 acres for mitigation purposes, mostly at steam electric, transmission, and hydroelectric projects (see Table below).
In 2019, we began implementing a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) across several transmission regions for the American burying beetle, an endangered insect with habitats across several of our service territories. This multi-year HCP has allowed us to use pre-approved practices through a regional, programmatic approach to minimize impacts to the beetle and its habitat, and to encourage its recovery. The HCP covers portions of Arkansas, Oklahoma and northern Texas where AEP currently has operations or the potential for future development. As
of 2025, 581 acres have been set aside to protect the beetle.
Protected Shorelines
Hydroelectric project reservoirs in western Virginia often include important resources that are of value to the local communities and need to be protected. These resources include recreational opportunities, scenic beauty, outstanding water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and wetlands. As part of the FERC requirements for three hydroelectric projects, AEP has agreed to protect 118 miles of shoreline habitat (431 acres to provide these resources.
Enhanced Reservoirs
AEP has enhanced nearly 6,300 acres of company-managed reservoirs (see Table below). In compliance with the requirements of FERC license renewals, wildlife management plans have been negotiated at many hydroelectric projects, which require the installation and monitoring of duck boxes and nesting structures within the pools above each dam. These activities support ducks, bluebirds, purple martins, kestrels,
owls, ospreys and bald eagles. Work is also done to improve the sport fishing opportunities in the reservoirs upstream of the projects. Efforts include the construction of bush pile fish attractors in the river pools and fish stocking.
Voluntary Protections and Donations
Conservation Areas
Over 100,000 acres (101,812) have been set aside as part of AEP's corporate stewardship program to protect unique habitats (see Table below). These include areas such as the Nipissing Dune Trail at the Cook Energy Information Center, a 70-acre nature preserve to protect the Kentucky silver bell, a rare tree species near the AEP Cook Coal Terminal in southern Illinois, and the eagle watch pavilion at the Flint Creek Plant in northwest Arkansas.
In 2025, our environmental stewardship efforts at the Flint Creek Power Plant received a Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) Conservation
Certification. The designation recognizes the plant's habitat enhancement programs, including tallgrass prairie restoration, nesting boxes and other bird habitat improvement, pollinator garden landscapes, restoration of native plant species, and environmental awareness education. The Flint Creek Power Plant has approximately 700 acres designated as wildlife habitat and is home to the 65-acre Eagle Watch and Nature Trail, which includes a half-mile walking trail and wildlife-viewing pavilions, all open to the public. The facility is also home to a pollinator garden, prairie restoration efforts and many environmental educational events, all of which are voluntarily hosted by plant employees.
Wildlife Management Areas
Nearly 74,500 acres, including properties that have been set aside as wildlife management areas at the retired Conesville, Breed, and Poston Plants, are currently managed for the support of hunting, fishing and wildlife. Donations have also been made to state wildlife management areas in Ohio to allow for the expansion of land holdings (see Table below). More recently, lands of the former AEP ReCreation Land property were sold to the ODNR to create the Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area. This 54,525-acre formerly strip-mined property has been restored and now supports many species of wildlife, including deer, rabbit, turkey, mourning dove, squirrel, and grouse, which are the principal game species. The area is also becoming increasingly popular as a bird watching destination. Many bird species, some rare, are found throughout the unique grassland/brushland landscape. Largemouth bass and bluegill are the predominant species of fish in the local ponds and wetlands.
Enhanced Reservoirs
The Southwestern Electric Power Company, a subsidiary of AEP, has been involved in the creation of fish habitat in two SWEPCO power plant reservoirs (Welsh and Pirkey), resulting in nearly 2,400 acres of enhanced fish habitat. This work included the installation of wood duck nesting boxes and other habitat enhancements. In 2023, Pirkey Plant ceased coal combustion and management of the power plant reservoir.
Reforestation/Mine Reclamation and Forest Management
AEP's commitment to trees and forest preservation is strong. For many decades AEP has had a cooperative agreement with the ODNR, allowing citizens to use AEP's ReCreation Lands, Ohio land that was once surface mined for coal, which has been ecologically reclaimed as outdoor recreation area for the public to enjoy for public use. With electric market deregulation in Ohio and the reduction of coal mining in this area, AEP no longer has a future business need for this land. On July 17, 2018, AEP completed the sale of a significant portion of the land to create a new state park named in honor of Jesse Owens, turning it over to the State of Ohio. The Jesse Owens State Park and Wildlife Area is now one of the
State's largest parks, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year for fishing, canoeing, hiking, camping and other outdoor activities. The transfer of land to the ODNR has continued, providing long-term protection for ecologically reclaimed Ohio land that was once surface-mined for coal.
AEP has a long history of supporting the establishment of tree plantations by providing and planting trees on company, government-owned, not-for-profit, and private properties. The government-owned and not-for-profit properties are "protected, restored and managed," while the private properties are considered to be "restored." A total of approximately 63 million trees have been planted over the past several decades.
AEP has thousands of acres of forestland under forest management. The primary focus of this program is to maintain the long-term productivity of existing forest assets by following a management philosophy of sustainable forestry on property that will remain in forest cover for
the foreseeable future. This is accomplished by providing guidance, direction, coordination and oversight of all company forest management activities. The forest resource is maintained in a steady state by balancing forest growth with timber harvests. The AEP Forest Management Program is committed to sustained production of renewable forest products under a multiple use management approach. Sustainable forestry means managing forests to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by practicing a land stewardship ethic. This integrates the reforestation, management, growth, nurturing and harvesting of trees for useful products while conserving soil, air and water quality, wildlife habitat, aesthetics and recreational uses.
Disclaimer
AEP - American Electric Power Company Inc. published this content on May 11, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 12, 2026 at 21:28 UTC.