BRIDGMAN, Mich., Dec. 22, 2000 – Cook Nuclear Plant Unit 1 returned to service Dec. 21 for American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP). At 9:39 p.m. Dec. 21, reactor operator Dave Cantrell closed the breaker and connected the electrical output of the generator to the AEP transmission grid. This marked the first time that Units 1 and 2 have been on-line since September 1997.

Unit 1 reactor was operating at 9 percent power. Plant operators will perform various system tests and functional tests during a carefully controlled ascension to full power over the next five to seven days.

“I want to thank the entire Cook team and their families for the hard work and sacrifices that went into restarting this plant,” said Bob Powers, AEP senior vice president – nuclear generation. “It’s been a long, hard road, but we’ve emerged better prepared for future business challenges and are poised for success and long-term operation of this plant.”

The units were idled in September 1997 because of questions raised about operability of safety systems. Major accomplishments during the restart include:

• complete refurbishment of each unit’s ice condenser systems
• in-depth review, analysis and modifications to plant safety systems, processes and procedures
• re-validation of plant design and licensing basis, re-accreditation of plant training programs and replacement of Unit 1 steam generators

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced Dec. 13 that performance improvements and plant modifications were sufficient to allow Unit 1 to resume operations and operate safely. The unit began reactor operation, maintaining a sustained nuclear fission chain reaction, on Dec. 18.

“What a terrific way to end the year,” said E. Linn Draper Jr., AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer. “To have both Cook units running and on track for future success is a great way to cap a year of dramatic change and important accomplishments for AEP.”

Cook Unit 2 returned to service in June and has operated at full capacity since that time. Unit 1 was originally projected to return to service in the first quarter of 2001. “Restarting Unit 1 just six months after Unit 2 and ahead of our most optimistic schedule is a significant accomplishment for this team,” said Powers.

Cantrell was part of a seven-person operations crew led by shift manager Steve Koshar. By closing the breaker in the control room, Cantrell remotely operated a 15-foot-tall high voltage air blast breaker located in the 345-kilovolt transmission switchyard one quarter mile from the plant.

Because the unit has not been operational in some time, there is the possibility that minor equipment maintenance or modification issues could arise during the early days after returning to service.

Unit 1’s reactor core is fully loaded with fuel, making it capable of full power operation for approximately 18 months.

The generating capacity of Cook Unit 1 is 1,020 megawatts, and Unit 2 is 1,090 megawatts. With both units running at full power, Cook generates enough power to serve the needs of a city of over 1 million people.

Draper noted that in addition to restart of both Cook units during 2000, AEP has completed its merger with Central and South West Corporation, seen growth in its wholesale businesses and navigated through restructuring in several states in its service territory.

American Electric Power is a multinational energy company based in Columbus, Ohio. AEP owns and operates more than 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity, making it one of America’s largest generators of electricity. The company is also a leading wholesale energy marketer and trader, ranking second in the U.S. in electricity volume. AEP provides retail electricity to more than 9 million customers worldwide and has more than $35 billion in assets, primarily in the U.S. with holdings in select international markets. Wholly owned subsidiaries are involved in power engineering and construction services, energy management and telecommunications.