BRIDGMAN, Mich., Jan. 18, 2002 - American Electric Power’s (NYSE: AEP) Cook Nuclear Plant has joined Utilities Service Alliance (USA). The alliance is a non-stock membership corporation owned and operated by its utility members. USA serves as a platform for members to jointly pursue excellence in plant operations and volume purchasing opportunities for goods and services, and to share existing resources.

“Joining USA provides us additional resources to improve plant performance and reduce operating expenses,” said A. Christopher Bakken III, senior vice president - nuclear generation. “The existing members are a good fit with Cook, and I believe we can provide benefit to them as well.”

Current USA full members include:

• Detroit Edison Co.’s Fermi Station

• Energy Northwest’s Columbia Generating Station

• Nebraska Public Power District’s Cooper Nuclear Station

• Omaha Public Power District’s Fort Calhoun Station

• PPL Susquehanna LLC’s Susquehanna Station

• Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp.’s Wolf Creek Generating Station

Sites that have joined USA at a reduced participant level include:

• Amergen’s Callaway Station

• STP Nuclear Operating Co.’s South Texas Project

• TXU’s Comanche Peak Station

• Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s Diablo Canyon Station

• Arizona Public Service Co.’s Palo Verde Station

USA members launched several new programs and group vendor contracts in 2001 and reported net savings in excess of $1.1 million each. Additionally, more than 170 employees assisted with refueling outages at other stations. One station borrowed more than $350,000 in outage tools and equipment, avoiding purchase or rental of the equipment.

The alliance was founded in 1996 and is based in Overland Park, Kan.

Cook Nuclear Plant is a two-unit site in Bridgman with a combined generating capacity of 2,110 megawatts. The site provides enough electricity for a city of more than 1 million people.

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 America´s largest generator of electricity. The company is also a leading wholesale energy marketer and trader, ranking second in North America in wholesale electricity and wholesale natural gas volume. AEP provides retail electricity to more than 7 million customers worldwide and has holdings in the U.S. and select international markets. Wholly owned subsidiaries are involved in power engineering and construction services.