COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 1, 1998 -- American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) today announced its support for legislation introduced this afternoon by Rep. Robert E. Wise Jr., D-W. Va. and Rep. Robert W. Ney, R-Ohio. Original co-sponsors are: Virgil H. Goode Jr., D-Va., Alan B. Mollohan, D-W. Va., Michael G. Oxley, R-Ohio, Nick J. Rahall II, D-W. Va., and Ted Strickland, D-Ohio.

The bill addresses the United States Environmental Protection Agency´s (EPA) proposed rule on regional nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions reductions to address ozone transport.

"This bill sets up a process consistent with Ozone Transport Assessment Group recommendations, which EPA originally supported," said Dale Heydlauff, AEP´s vice president of environmental affairs. "The Wise/Ney bill complements the efforts of 10 governors led by W. Va. Gov. Cecil Underwood, and recognizes the pre-eminent role of the states in setting implementation plans for ozone control.

"We watched incredulously as EPA moved away from its support of OTAG´s conclusions. OTAG´s recommendations were rooted in sound science and two years of painstaking study and modeling of ozone transport," Heydlauff said.

"Unfortunately, the fierce maneuverings of regional economic competition were allowed to corrupt the process. This bill will correct that, and put the science back on course. In the end, air quality and electric consumers will be the winners."

The Wise/Ney bill would require EPA to publish all data and analyses it relied on in its notice of proposed rulemaking of Nov. 7, 1997 concerning NOx issues.

The bill also would require the EPA to take one year from publication to promulgate a final rule, which would not take effect before May 1, 2005, or the expiration of a five-year period beginning from promulgation of the final rule.

The bill also directs EPA to not make any finding on or deny the petitions filed under section 126(b) of the Clean Air Act until after a final rule is promulgated. Furthermore, such denial would not be subject to judicial review.

AEP, a global energy company, is one of the United States´ largest investor-owned utilities, providing energy to 2.9 million customers in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. AEP has holdings in the United States, the United Kingdom and China. Wholly owned subsidiaries provide power engineering, consulting and management services around the world. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio.