CHARLESTON, W.Va., September 26, 2006 – Appalachian Power, a unit of American Electric Power, is bringing its electrical safety education efforts into the classroom through an innovative, interactive educational touring show that actively engages local school children in learning.

Lights On for Louie is AEP’s fast-paced, action-packed live learning program that involves kids in the subject matter, presents lessons in a way that kids enjoy and helps children remember what they learned about electrical safety long after the show is over.

Jeri Matheney, Appalachian Power’s corporate communications manager, said bringing Lights On for Louie to local schools underscores Appalachian Power’s commitment to electrical safety and the education of young people. The theatrical presentation is conducted by the National Theatre for Children.

“This program makes it possible for every local student to learn about electrical safety in a fun, exciting way that will help students remember how to play it safe around electricity,” Matheney said.

Last year the live presentation was experienced by more than 360,000 students in more than 1,000 schools, with 65,000 of those students and 254 of the schools in Appalachian Power service territory. AEP is sponsoring Lights On for Louie for the next two years at every local elementary at no charge. A list of schools in the Appalachian Power region scheduled to host the program in September and October is attached.

Appalachian Power provides electricity to 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, with more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined.


Below is the Lights On for Louie schedule for September and October. If you would like to send a reporter and/or photographer to the school to cover the presentations, please call the school first to make arrangements.

• Lights On for Louie schedule for September and October (PDF: 22 KB : get viewer)