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Protecting the Environment

AEP is committed to protecting planet Earth and demonstrating its environmental stewardship.

AEP Ohio's "Trim to Treat" and Indiana Michigan Power's "Branch to Browse" programs are helping feed animals at the Columbus (OH) Zoo and Aquarium and the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, IN, respectively.

Forestry crews make sure lines and equipment are free of trees and brush that could cause power outages. Through a unique partnership, the companies donate the fresh tree trimmings, branches and twigs — also known as “browse” — to the zoos. Browse is important to the animals’ diets and beneficial for enrichment. The browse is delivered on a regular schedule and saves the zoos’ money by reducing the need to purchase browse from other sources.

American Electric Power is moving toward a clean-energy future and part of that transition involves a new environmental and social justice policy. AEP defines environmental and social justice as a commitment to consider the environmental and social impacts of our recommendations and decisions as we serve our communities, especially impacts to low-wealth communities, communities of color and other historically marginalized communities. This means whether we’re building a transmission line, decommissioning a coal plant or conducting other activities, we need to understand the demographics of our communities, involve them in our decision-making processes and mitigate disproportionate impacts to historically disadvantaged communities when possible.

Four AEP operating companies received ENERGY STAR awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The awards honor businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements. Public Service Company of Oklahoma and Southwestern Electric Power Company programs in Louisiana and Texas received Partner of the Year for Energy Efficiency Program Delivery. AEP Texas and Appalachian Power both received the 2021 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence Award, the highest honor bestowed by the ENERGY STAR program. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $450 billion in energy costs and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.

AEP Ohio helps feed animals at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio by donating fresh tree trimmings, branches and twigs to supplement their diets.
The James River Environmental Education Program combines STEM education and environmental stewardship for Lynchburg City Schools Students in Virginia.
I&M line mechanics in Three Rivers, MI, moved an Osprey nest from a dangerous location near power lines to a newly built platform away from electrical equipment.