COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 13, 1998 -- Elementary school children in Yuandian Town, China, will have a new school, thanks in part to AEP Resources International Ltd. AEP Resources is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP). In a ceremony in the city of Zhengzhou, Ali Azad, AEP Resources Director, Asia-Pacific Development, presented a check in the amount of US$100,000 to Xixia County Education Commission of Henan Province, China. The donation will fund: an academic building designed to contain 43 rooms in three floors; a library and laboratory, which will include 24 rooms in two floors; 300 sets of classroom desks and chairs; about 6,000 textbooks; and sports, music and art equipment. "As a company, we asked ourselves how we could be more involved in the lives of our neighbors, and a more responsible partner in the future we are building together," said Azad. "This gift helps to answer that question. "Yuandian Town and Xixia County have experienced rapid growth, not only in terms of industry but in opportunity as well. It is our wish that this gift will help this region and the people continue to thrive and grow." AEP Resources is involved in electric power generation projects in China. Through Nanyang General Electric Light Co. Ltd., a joint venture with Henan Province and Nanyang City Financial Development Company, AEP Resources is building the Nanyang Electric power generation facility in Nanyang City. Under construction since November 1996, the coal-fired facility will consist of two 125-megawatt units. Unit 1 is scheduled to go on-line in February 1999; unit 2 in July 1999. The facility will use coal primarily from mines located in Henan Province. AEP Resources also pursues energy-related investment opportunities and projects worldwide. In addition to its 70 percent interest in Nanyang General Light Electric, the company holds a 50 percent ownership in Yorkshire Electricity Group, a regional electric company in the United Kingdom. The company has offices in Columbus, Ohio; Toronto; Beijing; and North Sydney, Australia. AEP, a global energy company, is one of the United States' largest investor-owned utilities, providing energy to 2.9 million customers in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. AEP has holdings in the United States, the United Kingdom and China. Wholly owned subsidiaries provide power engineering, consulting and management services around the world. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio.