Columbus, Ohio, and Dallas, Texas (Nov. 10, 1998) - American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) and Central and South West Corp. (NYSE: CSR) will update data and provide additional information regarding the companies' planned merger to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the companies said today. During its regular meeting this morning, FERC said it would schedule a hearing to address competitive issues related to the merger. A scheduling conference will be held within 15 days. "We're confident that we can address the issues raised in today's meeting to the satisfaction of the FERC and all parties, and we will submit new data and complete any additional studies necessary to provide the answers," said Rich Munczinski, AEP senior vice president, corporate planning and budgeting. "FERC has indicated that it expects to move expeditiously on issues related to our merger." The companies announced a definitive merger agreement for a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction on Dec. 22, 1997. Central and South West Corporation is a Dallas-based public utility holding company that owns four U.S. electric utility subsidiaries with 1.7 million customers, a regional electricity company serving 2 million customers in the United Kingdom, and nonutility subsidiaries involved in energy-related investments as well as subsidiaries that offer telecommunications, energy efficiency and financial transactions. American Electric Power Company, Inc., a global energy company, is one of the United States' largest investor-owned utilities, providing energy to 3 million customers in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. AEP has holdings in the United States, the United Kingdom, China and Australia. Wholly owned subsidiaries provide power engineering, energy consulting and energy management services around the world. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio.