COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 29, 2001 – Diane Fitzgerald has been appointed vice president of environmental affairs at American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP), effective April 1.

Fitzgerald has served as director – international environmental affairs since May. In her new position, she will provide leadership on international policy issues, including international environmental protocols, and will help assure consistency in environmental management practices among AEP’s domestic and international subsidiaries.

“Diane will provide strategic direction to our eight state environmental affairs managers, as well as being a key player in responding to state legislative, regulatory and major policy issues,” said Dale Heydlauff, senior vice president – environmental affairs. “Her appointment underscores the ongoing and growing importance of AEP maintaining strong working relationships with local and state regulators, internal customers and industry groups.”

Fitzgerald joined AEP in 1984 as a senior performance engineer at Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant. She has held numerous other positions, including environmental affairs manager in AEP’s Indiana-Michigan state office and in the nuclear generation group.

Before joining AEP, Fitzgerald worked at Public Service Indiana. She earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and economics from Butler University in Indianapolis.