In December 2022, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission refused approval, stating "the sales’ parties did not provide enough evidence to show the deal wouldn't have an adverse effect on rate payers."

PSO has 4,269 megawatts of generating capacity and provides electricity to 232 cities and towns across a service area encompassing 30,000 square miles.

[13] In April 2014, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed into law an AEP-backed bill that would add a tax onto anyone in the state who adopted rooftop solar.

[14] This legislation was headed by Rep. Mike Turner (Oklahoma politician) (R. Edmond), known for his support of ending rooftop solar.

Often called SWEPCO, the Southwestern Electric Power Company serves most of western Arkansas, northwestern Louisiana, and northeastern Texas.

SWEPCO also backed openly anti-solar candidate Eric Skrmetta, who has been widely criticized for receiving 2/3 of his campaign contributions from entities he regulates.

[16] SWEPCO operated Dolet Hills Power Station was scheduled for closure in Louisiana in 2021, due to pressure by Beyond Coal.

[17][18] AEP also bought much of the town of Cheshire, Ohio, where the Gavin Power Plant is located, due to pollution issues.

[20] In August 2008, AEP formed a joint venture company with Duke Energy to build and own new electric transmission assets.

AEP is expanding its green efforts to include 18 more International DuraStar hybrid diesel trucks.

[29][30] The project includes three wind farms covering areas in Alfalfa, Blaine, Custer, Kingfisher, Garfield, Major and Woods counties of Oklahoma.

[29] Approval followed in Arkansas and Louisiana in May; however, the Texas Public Utility Commission denied the plan for the 309 megawatts intended for that state.

According to Joe Denault, a volunteer spokesperson for the proposal, the PATH proposal would incorporate new technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 380,000 short tons (340,000 t) a year; allow for the transmission of renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric; and generate 5,700 jobs, with $420 million in employee compensation annually.

[citation needed] On August 31, 2004, American Electric Power Company's $10 billion acquisition of the Central and South West Corporation was approved.

[42] As of 2017,[update] American Electric Power shares are mainly held by institutional investors, and large Single Family Offices (Vanguard group, BlackRock, State Street Corporation, and others[44]) The Political Economy Research Institute ranks American Electric Power 55th among corporations emitting airborne pollutants in the United States.

[47] Environmental Protection Agency has named American Electric a potentially responsible party at the Green River Disposal Inc. Superfund toxic waste site.

[48] In February 2018, AEP announced plans to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050 through increased use of renewables, natural gas and energy efficiency.

"[50] The United States Justice Department filed a lawsuit on November 3, 1999, against AEP and six other companies for violating the Clean Air Act.

They have specifically attempted to halt distributed solar in Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.