BRIDGMAN, Mich., Jan. 4, 2001 – American Electric Power’s (NYSE: AEP) Cook Nuclear Plant Unit 1 reached 100 percent power at 9:40 a.m. Jan. 3. The power ascension procedure included hold points at 30, 50, 80, and 90 percent power for system testing.

“The plant and staff have responded well during the start-up and power ascension period,” said Joe Pollock, plant manager. “The good performance of Unit 2 since start-up last June bodes well for Unit 1. We look forward to a good, long period of safe and efficient generation.”

There is enough fuel available for the 1,020-megawatt Unit 1 to operate for approximately 18 months at full power.

On Dec. 13, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced that performance improvements and plant modifications were sufficient to allow Unit 1 to resume operations and operate safely. Both Units 1 and 2 had been off line since September 1997 due to questions raised about the operability of safety systems. Unit 1 began reactor operation, maintaining a sustained nuclear fission chain reaction, on Dec. 18. Unit 1 returned to service for AEP when connected to the AEP transmission grid on Dec. 21.

American Electric Power is a multinational energy company based in Columbus, Ohio. AEP owns and operates more than 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity, making it one of America’s largest generators of electricity. The company is also a leading wholesale energy marketer and trader, ranking second in the U.S. in electricity volume. AEP provides retail electricity to more than 9 million customers worldwide and has more than $35 billion in assets, primarily in the U.S. with holdings in select international markets. Wholly owned subsidiaries are involved in power engineering and construction services, energy management and telecommunications.