LAKIN, W.Va., June 18, 1999 -- Crews from six American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) River Transportation Division towboats were recognized at the U.S. Chamber of Shipping's annual safety awards luncheon held recently in New Orleans. AEP was represented by Tony Bumbico, director-human resources service center/fuel supply, Bob Taylor, port captain/river division , and Mike Weisend, health and safety supervisor/river division. The towboats that were recognized received the Jones F. Devlin Award, sponsored by the Chamber of Shipping of America. The chamber presents the award to merchant vessels that have operated at least two full years with no lost time accidents (vessels must be operating with a full crew and a crew member hasn't had an occupational injury that has led to a missed watch). "We are committed to keeping our safety standards high," says Ron Young, AEP managing director-transportation. "These awards reflect our commitment to those standards." The AEP towboat crews and their accomplishments included: M/V (Motor Vessel) F. M. Baker, 2,675 days; M/V G. L. Furr, 1,924 days; M/V Robert M. Kopper, 2,283 days; M/V A. N. Prentice, 1,492 days; M/V Norman L. Snodgrass, 1,695 days; M/V James E. Pinson, 932 days. "We pride ourselves on our safety record," states Keith Darling, River Transportation Division general manager. "Our company and our employees are focused on maintaining the safest possible work environment." AEP, a global energy company, is one of the United States' largest investor-owned utilities, providing energy to 3 million customers in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. AEP has holdings in the United States, the United Kingdom, China and Australia. Wholly owned subsidiaries provide power engineering, energy consulting and energy management services around the world. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio. On Dec. 22, 1997, AEP announced a definitive merger agreement for a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction with Central and South West Corp., a public utility holding company based in Dallas.