Standard & Poor's today has affirmed its single-`A'-minus senior secured debt rating on Appalachian Power Co., Columbus Southern Power Co., and Ohio Power Co., as well as its triple-`B'-plus senior secured rating on both Indiana Michigan Power Co. and Kentucky Power Co., all of which are American Electric Power Company (AEP) operating units. The outlook on all five AEP operating units is still stable. In addition, the single-`A'-minus senior secured debt rating of Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) is affirmed and remains on CreditWatch, with positive implications. This action follows the announcement by AEP and PSCo that they will acquire the British regional electric distribution company (REC), Yorkshire Electricity Group PLC, (double-'A' senior unsecured debt; CreditWatch, negative) for $2.4
