COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 9, 1998 -- If information is power, then multi-site companies have a powerful ally in Datapult^SM, a new portfolio of energy information services from AEP Communications, LLC.

AEP Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), one of the largest investor-owned utilities in the United States with holdings throughout the world, developed Datapult to provide commercial and industrial customers an affordable means to track and manage energy consumption.

Datapult monitors electricity, gas, water, steam, compressed air, temperature and other information, which can then be easily analyzed via the Internet.

Through Datapult, customers can aggregate energy information to identify how, when and where their companies use energy.

"Datapult provides unprecedented information access to the customer," said Peter R. Thomas, vice president of AEP Communications. "We´ve made it affordable to gather energy information from existing systems and we´ve developed an innovative submeasurement device to monitor any customer site, process or piece of equipment

"Plus, with AEP Communications´ in-house energy analysis capabilities, we will recommend cost-effective action plans that enable customers to control their energy bills."

Thomas described the market dynamics that led to AEP´s development of the system.

"With expanding competition and shrinking margins in all business sectors, it´s critically important for companies to make fiscally sound business decisions in all aspects of their operations. Datapult gives the customer timely information that can lead to reduced energy costs, increased productivity and minimized down time. Also, with the advent of electricity deregulation, the company that understands its pattern of energy use throughout its entire operation will be able to leverage that information with its energy suppliers," Thomas said.

Datapult comprises four major elements:

• Datapult Information Source cost-effectively gathers data tailored to the customer´s needs. First, line items from utility statements can be entered into a database to provide basic variance comparisons among sites. Second, Datapult experts can interface with the customer´s existing control and metering equipment to leverage investments already made.

For the processes or sites that require detailed energy information not currently monitored, AEP has developed the Datapult Information Sensor, a flexible monitoring device. The Information Sensor monitors consumption profiles for electric, gas, water, compressed air, steam and ambient temperature for a site, process or key equipment in 15-minute increments.

• Datapult Central, AEP´s secure Internet site, displays the information by entire company, business unit, site or process. By clicking the Datapult icon on the computer screen, and entering the user identification and password, the customer can access its energy information from anywhere around the world.



• Datapult Analysis turns information into bottom-line savings, automatically analyzing energy use for critical events and providing access to special analysis tools for the customer´s use. For customers who require additional expertise or resources to analyze the information, Datapult Analysis provides the energy experts required for a customized turnkey solution.



• Once critical events are identified, Datapult Notification will alert the customer by pager, e-mail, electronic signal or fax.

"We´ve had tremendous interest in the service," Thomas said. "Datapult is the power tool kit that will help commercial and industrial customers improve their bottom line."

AEP Communications tested Datapult at beta sites including those provided by Advance Auto Parts, Ashland Inc. and The Limited, Inc. "This outstanding group of companies helped us develop a world-class portfolio of energy information products," Thomas said.

AEP Communications, LLC, was formed in 1997 to provide fiber, wireless and information services to wholesale and retail customers. The company has built high-speed fiber optic lines and wireless antenna structures, and has invested in digital personal communications service providers.

AEP provides 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.

Information about Datapult can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.aep.com/datapult, or by calling toll-free 1-877-DATAPULT (1-877-328-2785).

News releases and other information about AEP can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.aep.com.