American Electric Power (AEP) 424B5 Prospectus supplement for primary offering

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-249918

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price	Amount of Registration Fee
Common Stock, par value $6.50 per share	$1,000,000,000	$109,100(1)

(1) Calculated in accordance with Rules 457(o) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act,” based on the proposed maximum aggregate offering price. This “Calculation of Registration Fee” table shall be deemed to update the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in Registration Statement No. 333-249918.

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated November 6, 2020)

$1,000,000,000

American Electric Power Company, Inc.

Common Stock

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to the offer and sale from time to time of shares of our common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $1,000,000,000 through Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“Credit Suisse”), Barclays Capital Inc. (“Barclays”), BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofA Securities”), BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citigroup”) and, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. (“Scotiabank”) as our agents under an at-the-market distribution agreement. We refer to Credit Suisse, Barclays, BofA Securities, BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Citigroup and Scotiabank collectively as the sales agents. The distribution agreement provides that, in addition to the issuance and sale of common stock by us through the sales agents acting as sales agents or directly to the sales agents acting as principals, we also may enter into forward sale agreements, between us and affiliates of each of Credit Suisse, Barclays, BofA Securities or Citigroup. We refer to these affiliated entities, when acting in such capacity, as forward purchasers. In connection with each such forward sale agreement, the relevant forward purchaser will, at our request, borrow from third parties and, through the relevant sales agent, sell a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares of our common stock that will underlie such forward sale agreement to hedge its exposure under such forward sale agreement. We refer to sales agents, when acting as agents for forward purchasers, as forward sellers. In no event will the aggregate number of shares of our common stock sold through the sales agents, each as an agent for us, as principal and as a forward seller, under the distribution agreement have an aggregate sales price in excess of $1,000,000,000. The offering of common stock pursuant to the distribution agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale, under the distribution agreement, of shares of our common stock with an aggregate sales price of $1,000,000,000, and (2) the termination of the distribution agreement, pursuant to its terms, by either all of the sales agents or us.

We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of borrowed shares of our common stock by a forward seller. In the event of full physical settlement of each forward sale agreement (by delivery of our common stock) with the relevant forward purchaser on one or more dates specified by us on or prior to the maturity date of the relevant forward sale agreement, we expect to receive aggregate cash proceeds equal to the product of the initial forward sale price under such forward sale agreement and the number of shares of our common stock underlying such forward sale agreement, subject to the price adjustment and other provisions of such forward sale agreement. If, however, we elect to cash settle or net share settle a forward sale agreement, we may not receive any proceeds (in the case of cash settlement) or will not receive any proceeds (in the case of net share settlement), and we may owe cash (in the case of cash settlement) or shares of our common stock (in the case of net share settlement) to the relevant forward purchaser.

The shares of our common stock will be offered at market prices prevailing at the time of sale in “at the market offerings,” as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the existing trading market for shares of our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker or through an electronic communications network or by such other methods, including privately negotiated transactions (including block transactions), as we and any sales agent agree to in writing. We will pay each sales agent a commission equal to up to 2% of the sales price of all shares of our common stock sold through it as our sales agent under the distribution agreement. In connection with each forward sale agreement, the relevant forward seller will receive, reflected in a reduced initial forward sale price payable by the relevant forward purchaser under its forward sale agreement, a commission equal to up to 2% of the volume weighted average of the sales prices of all borrowed shares of our common stock sold during the applicable period by it as a forward seller.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AEP”. The last reported sale price of our common stock on November 5, 2020 was $90.71 per share.

Investing in our common stock involves certain risks. See the Section entitled “Risk Factors” on page S-4 of this Prospectus Supplement for more information.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Credit Suisse	Barclays	BofA Securities
BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC	Citigroup	Scotiabank

The date of this prospectus supplement is November 6, 2020.

We urge you to carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which describe the terms of the offering of the common stock, as well as the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, before you make your investment decision. You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We have not, nor have the sales agents, the forward sellers or the forward purchasers, authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the sales agents are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents or that the information incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date that the document incorporated by reference was filed with the SEC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

	Page
Where You Can Find More Information		S-ii
Forward Looking Information		S-iii
About This Prospectus Supplement		S-1
American Electric Power Company, Inc.		S-1
Recent Developments		S-1
The Offering		S-3
Risk Factors		S-4
Use of Proceeds		S-8
United States Federal Income and Estate Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders		S-9
Certain ERISA Considerations		S-12
Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)		S-14
Legal Matters		S-19
Experts		S-19

Prospectus

	Page
Risk Factors		2
The Company		2
Prospectus Supplements		2
Where You Can Find More Information		3
Use of Proceeds		4
Description of the Senior Notes		5
Description of Common Stock		9
Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures		10
Description of the Stock Purchase Contracts and the Stock Purchase Units		15
Book-Entry System		16
Plan of Distribution		18
Legal Opinions		19
Experts		19

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Available Information

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We also file annual, quarterly and special reports and other information with the SEC. You may also examine our SEC filings through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) until we sell all the common stock.

• Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019;

• Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June  30, 2020 and September 30, 2020; and

• Current Reports on Form 8-K filed March 5, 2020, March  23, 2020, March  30, 2020, April  22, 2020, August  17, 2020, September  15, 2020 and November  2, 2020 and our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on September 16, 2020, which amended our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September  15, 2020.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Investor Relations

American Electric Power Service Corporation

1 Riverside Plaza

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Telephone: 614-716-1000

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in any written communication from us or any sales agent specifying the final terms of the offering. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of the common stock in any state or jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of the date on their respective covers.

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FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Some of the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to:

• Changes in economic conditions, electric market demand and demographic patterns in AEP service territories.

• The impact of pandemics, including COVID-19, and any associated disruption of AEP’s business operations due to impacts on economic or market conditions, electricity usage, employees, customers, service providers, vendors and suppliers.

• Inflationary or deflationary interest rate trends.

• Volatility in the financial markets, particularly developments affecting the availability or cost of capital to finance new capital projects and refinance existing debt.

• The availability and cost of funds to finance working capital and capital needs, particularly during periods when the time lag between incurring costs and recovery is long and the costs are material.

• Decreased demand for electricity.

• Weather conditions, including storms and drought conditions, and the ability to recover significant storm restoration costs.

• The cost of fuel and its transportation, the creditworthiness and performance of fuel suppliers and transporters and the cost of storing and disposing of used fuel, including coal ash and spent nuclear fuel.

• The availability of fuel and necessary generation capacity, the performance of generation plants and the availability of fuel.

• The ability to recover fuel and other energy costs through regulated or competitive electric rates.

• The ability to build or acquire renewable generation, transmission lines and facilities (including the ability to obtain any necessary regulatory approvals and permits) when needed at acceptable prices and terms and to recover those costs.

• New legislation, litigation and government regulation, including oversight of nuclear generation, energy commodity trading and new or heightened requirements for reduced emissions of sulfur, nitrogen, mercury, carbon, soot or particulate matter and other substances that could impact the continued operation, cost recovery and/or profitability of generation plants and related assets.

• Evolving public perception of the risks associated with fuels used before, during and after the generation of electricity, including nuclear fuel.

• Timing and resolution of pending and future rate cases, negotiations and other regulatory decisions, including rate or other recovery of new investments in generation, distribution and transmission service and environmental compliance.

• Resolution of litigation.

• The ability to constrain operation and maintenance costs.

• Prices and demand for power generated and sold at wholesale.

• Changes in technology, particularly with respect to energy storage and new, developing, alternative or distributed sources of generation.

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• The ability to recover through rates any remaining unrecovered investment in generation units that may be retired before the end of their previously projected useful lives.

• Volatility and changes in markets for capacity and electricity, coal and other energy-related commodities, particularly changes in the price of natural gas.

• Changes in utility regulation and the allocation of costs within regional transmission organizations, including Electric Reliability Council of Texas regional transmission organization, Pennsylvania – New Jersey – Maryland regional transmission organization and Southwest Power Pool regional transmission organization.

• Changes in the creditworthiness of the counterparties with contractual arrangements, including participants in the energy trading market.

• Actions of rating agencies, including changes in the ratings of debt.

• The impact of volatility in the capital markets on the value of the investments held by the pension, other postretirement benefit plans, captive insurance entity and nuclear decommissioning trust and the impact of such volatility on future funding requirements.

• Accounting standards periodically issued by accounting standard-setting bodies.

• Other risks and unforeseen events, including wars, the effects of terrorism (including increased security costs), embargoes, naturally occurring and human-caused fires, cyber security threats and other catastrophic events.

• The ability to attract and retain the requisite work force and key personnel.

In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement might not occur. Neither AEP nor the sales agents undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of common stock and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which does not apply to the common stock. If the description of the common stock varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus and in any written communication from the Company or the sales agents specifying the final terms of the offering. We have not, and the sales agents have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of the date on their respective covers. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

The following information supplements, and should be read together with, the information contained in the accompanying prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as well as the documents they incorporate by reference, before making an investment decision.

Unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references appearing in this prospectus supplement to “AEP”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” should be read to refer to American Electric Power Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC.

American Electric Power Company, Inc., based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP’s approximately 17,400 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and nearly 221,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 30,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,200 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Texas Inc., AEP Transmission Company, LLC, Appalachian Power Company, Indiana Michigan Power Company, Ohio Power Company, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company. AEP also owns AEP Energy, Inc., AEP Energy Partners, Inc., AEP OnSite Partners, LLC, and AEP Renewables, LLC, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide.

Our principal executive offices are located at 1 Riverside Plaza, Columbus, Ohio, and our telephone number is (614) 716-1000.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its rapid spread around the world and throughout the United States prompted many countries, including the United States, to institute restrictions on travel, public gatherings and certain business operations. These restrictions significantly disrupted economic activity in AEP’s service territory and could reduce future demand for energy, particularly from commercial and industrial customers. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, AEP experienced a reduction in weather-normalized retail sales volume of 3.0% as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 primarily driven by a 7.0% decrease in the industrial customer class and a 4.9% decrease in the commercial customer class offset by an increase in demand of 2.6% from the residential customer class. The reduction in weather-normalized retail sales volume of 3.0% did not result in a significant decrease in the corresponding retail margins for the nine months ended 2020 as the increase in higher margin residential sales volumes partially offset the decreases in the industrial and commercial sales volumes. Furthermore, the rate design for certain industrial customers includes demand

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provisions designed to cover the fixed portion of utility costs minimizing the impact of the fluctuations in usage on revenues. If the severity of the economic disruption increases, AEP’s future results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows could be further adversely impacted.

During the first quarter of 2020, AEP’s electric operating companies informed both retail customers and state regulators that disconnections for non-payment were temporarily suspended. Shortly thereafter, AEP’s state regulators also imposed temporary moratoria on customary disconnection practices. During the third and fourth quarters of 2020, certain state regulators began to lift restrictions on disconnects. As of September 30, 2020, AEP resumed disconnections in its regulated jurisdictions with the exception of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. AEP’s electric operating companies continue to work with regulators and stakeholders in these states and management currently anticipates resuming customary disconnection practices in the fourth quarter of 2020. However, this timing could change if there is new legislation or other regulatory directives issued in the future. Current continuing adverse economic conditions may result in the inability of customers to pay for electric service, which could affect revenue recognition and the collectability of accounts receivable.

The effects of the continued COVID-19 pandemic and related government responses could also include extended disruptions to supply chains, reduced labor availability, reduced dispatch for certain generation assets and a prolonged reduction in economic activity, which could have a variety of adverse impacts to AEP, including its ability to operate its facilities. As of September 30, 2020, there were no material adverse impacts to AEP’s operations and supplier contracts due to COVID-19. AEP will continue to monitor developments affecting facility operations and will take additional actions necessary in order to mitigate adverse impacts to the Registrants’ future results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

AEP is taking steps to mitigate the potential risks to customers, suppliers and employees posed by the spread of COVID-19. AEP has updated and implemented a company-wide pandemic plan to address specific aspects of COVID-19. This plan guides emergency response, business continuity, and the precautionary measures AEP is taking on behalf of its employees and the public. AEP has taken extra precautions for employees who work in the field and for employees who work in their facilities, and have implemented work from home policies where appropriate, and will continue to monitor developments affecting both their workforce and customers. As of September 30, 2020, there has been no material adverse impact to AEP’s business operations and customer service due to remote work. Management will continue to review and modify plans as conditions change. The ultimate impact of COVID-19 also depends on factors beyond management’s knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of this outbreak as well as third-party actions taken to contain its spread and mitigate its public health effects. Therefore, management cannot estimate the potential future impact to financial position, results of operations and cash flows, but the impacts could be material. For further information on the recent COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our business, see the Risk Factors under the heading “AEP’s Financial Condition and Results of Operations could continue to be Adversely Affected by the Ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic” and Forward Looking Information.

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THE OFFERING

Issuer	American Electric Power Company, Inc., a New York corporation
Common stock offered by us	Shares of our common stock, having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $1,000,000,000.
Use of proceeds	We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes.
	We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of borrowed shares of our common stock by the forward sellers, as agents for the forward purchasers, in connection with any forward sale agreement as a hedge of the relevant forward purchaser’s exposure under such forward sale agreement. See “Use of Proceeds” herein.
Dividend policy	We have historically paid quarterly dividends on our common stock. Future dividends may vary depending upon AEP’s profit levels, operating cash flow levels and capital requirements, as well as financial and other business conditions existing at the time.
Listing	Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AEP”.
Accounting treatment	Before any issuance of shares of our common stock upon settlement of any forward sale agreement, we expect that the shares issuable upon settlement of such forward sale agreement will be reflected in our diluted earnings per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of shares of our common stock used in calculating diluted earnings per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of shares that would be issued upon full physical settlement of such forward sale agreement over the number of shares that could be purchased by us in the market (based on the average market price of our common stock during the applicable reporting period) using the proceeds receivable upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of the reporting period). Consequently, we anticipate there will be no dilutive effect on our earnings per share except during periods when the average market price of shares of our common stock is above the applicable adjusted forward sale price subject to increase or decrease based on the federal funds rate, less a spread, and subject to decrease by amounts related to expected dividends on shares of our common stock during the term of the relevant forward sale agreement. However, if we decide to physically settle or net share settle any forward sale agreement, delivery of our shares to the relevant forward purchaser on the physical settlement or net share settlement of the forward sale agreement would result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity.
Risk factors	An investment in our common stock involves various risks, and prospective investors should carefully consider the matters discussed under the caption entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement, beginning on page 2 of the accompanying prospectus, in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. For a further discussion of the recent COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our business, see the Executive Overview under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2020 and Part II, Item 1A under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2020.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below as well as any cautionary language or other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020 before investing in the common stock, as well as the further risk factors we provide below. For a further discussion of the recent COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our business, see the Executive Overview under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020 and Part II, Item 1A under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The risks and uncertainties described are those presently known to us.

Risk Factors Relating to Our Business

You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below as well as any cautionary language or other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020 before investing in the common stock. In addition, we provide the following risk factor.

AEP’s Financial Condition and Results of Operations could continue to be Adversely Affected by the Ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic

AEP is responding to the global 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by taking steps to mitigate the potential risks posed by its spread. Its rapid spread around the world and throughout the United States prompted many countries, including the United States, to institute restrictions on travel, public gatherings and certain business operations. These restrictions continue to disrupt economic activity in AEP’s service territory and could reduce future demand for energy, particularly from commercial and industrial customers. AEP provides a critical service to its customers which means that it must keep its employees who operate its businesses safe and minimize unnecessary risk of exposure to the virus. AEP has updated and implemented a company-wide pandemic plan to address specific aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. This plan guides AEP’s emergency response, business continuity, and the precautionary measures that AEP is taking on behalf its employees and the public. AEP has taken extra precautions for its employees who work in the field and for employees who continue to work in its facilities, and AEP has implemented work from home policies where appropriate.

Continuing adverse economic conditions may result in the inability of customers to pay for electric service, which could affect revenue recognition and the collectability of accounts receivables. These conditions might also impact the companies’ access to and cost of capital. This is a rapidly evolving situation that could lead to extended disruption of economic activity in AEP’s markets.

AEP has instituted measures to ensure its supply chain remains open; however, there could be global shortages that will impact AEP’s maintenance and capital programs that AEP currently cannot anticipate. AEP will continue to monitor developments affecting both its workforce and its customers, and will take additional precautions that are determined to be necessary in order to mitigate the impacts.

AEP continues to implement strong physical and cyber security measures to ensure that its systems remain functional in order to both serve its operational needs with a remote workforce and keep them running to ensure uninterrupted service to customers.

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In addition, the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 could also adversely impact the impairment risks for certain long-lived assets, equity method investments and goodwill. Market volatility and reduction in collections coupled with longer collection periods due to the expansion of customer payment arrangements could reduce cash from operations and cause an adverse impact to liquidity.

AEP will continue to review and modify its plans as conditions change. Despite AEP’s efforts to manage these impacts, their ultimate impact also depends on factors beyond AEP’s knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of this outbreak, its impact on economic and market conditions, as well as third-party actions taken to contain its spread and mitigate its public health effects. Therefore, AEP currently cannot estimate the potential impact to its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Risk Factors Relating to Our Common Stock

There may be future sales or other dilution of our equity, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Except as described under “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest),” we are not restricted from issuing additional shares of our common stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, our common stock. The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of shares of our common stock or sales of such other securities made after this offering or the perception that such sales could occur.

The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

The price of our common stock on the Nasdaq constantly changes. We expect that the market price of our common stock will continue to fluctuate.

Our stock price may fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include:

• periodic variations in our operating results or the quality of our assets;

• operating results that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors;

• changes in expectations as to our future financial performance;

• announcements of innovations, new products, strategic developments, significant contracts, acquisitions, divestitures and other material events by us or our competitors;

• the operating and securities price performance of other companies that investors believe are comparable to us;

• future sales of our equity or equity-related securities; and

• changes in U.S. and global financial markets and economies and general market conditions, such as interest or foreign exchange rates, stock, commodity or real estate valuations or volatility.

In addition, in recent years, the stock market in general has experienced periods of extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including for reasons unrelated to their operating performance. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect our stock price regardless of our operating results.

Settlement provisions contained in any forward sale agreement subject us to certain risks.

A forward purchaser will have the right to accelerate a forward sale agreement that it enters into with us and require us to physically settle such forward sale agreement (with respect to all or any portion of the transaction under such forward sale agreement that such forward purchaser determines is affected by such event) on a date specified by such forward purchaser if:

• in such forward purchaser’s commercially reasonable judgment, it or its affiliate is unable to hedge its exposure under such forward sale agreement because (x) insufficient shares of our common stock have been made available for borrowing by securities lenders or (y) the forward purchaser or its affiliate would incur a stock borrowing cost in excess of a specified threshold;

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• we declare any dividend, issue or distribution on shares of our common stock

• payable in cash in excess of specified amounts,

• that constitutes an extraordinary dividend under the forward sale agreement,

• payable in securities of another company as a result of a spinoff or similar transaction, or

• of any other type of securities (other than our common stock), rights, warrants or other assets for payment (cash or other consideration) at less than the prevailing market price;

• certain ownership thresholds applicable to such forward purchaser and its affiliates are exceeded;

• an event is announced that if consummated would result in a specified extraordinary event (including certain mergers or tender offers, as well as certain events involving our nationalization, a delisting of our common stock, or change in law); or

• certain other events of default or termination events occur, including, among others, any material misrepresentation made in connection with such forward sale agreement or our insolvency (each as more fully described in each forward sale agreement).

A forward purchaser’s decision to exercise its right to accelerate any forward sale agreement and to require us to settle any such forward sale agreement will be made irrespective of our interests, including our need for capital. In such cases, we could be required to issue and deliver shares of our common stock under the terms of the physical settlement provisions of the applicable forward sale agreement irrespective of our capital needs, which would result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity.

We expect that settlement of any forward sale agreement will generally occur no later than the date specified in such forward sale agreement. However, any forward sale agreement may be settled earlier than such specified date in whole or in part at our option. Except under the circumstances described above, we generally have the right to elect physical, cash or net share settlement under each forward sale agreement. Delivery of our common stock upon physical settlement of any forward sale agreement (or, if we elect net share settlement of any forward sale agreement, upon such settlement to the extent we are obligated to deliver our common stock) will result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity. If we elect to cash or net share settle all or a portion of the shares of our common stock underlying any forward sale agreement, we would expect the relevant forward purchaser or one of its affiliates to purchase shares of our common stock in secondary market transactions over an unwind period to:

• return shares of our common stock to securities lenders in order to unwind such forward purchaser’s hedge (after taking into consideration any shares of our common stock to be delivered by us to such forward purchaser, in the case of net share settlement); and,

• if applicable, in the case of net share settlement, deliver shares of our common stock to us to the extent required in settlement of such forward sale agreement.

The forward sale price that we expect to receive upon physical settlement of any forward sale agreement will be subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to the federal funds rate less a spread and will be subject to decrease on certain dates specified in the relevant forward sale agreement by the amount per share of quarterly dividends we currently expect to declare during the term of such forward sale agreement. If the federal funds rate is less than the spread on any day, the interest rate factor will result in a daily reduction of the forward sale price. If the volume-weighted average price at which the relevant forward purchaser (or its affiliate) purchases shares during the applicable unwind period under a forward sale agreement is above the relevant forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would pay the relevant forward purchaser under such forward sale agreement an amount in cash equal to the difference or, in the case of net share settlement, we would deliver to such forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the difference. Thus, we could be responsible for a potentially substantial cash payment in the case of cash settlement. If the volume-weighted average price at which the relevant forward purchaser (or its affiliate) purchases shares during the applicable unwind period under a forward sale agreement is below the relevant forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would be paid the difference in cash by the relevant forward purchaser under such forward sale agreement or, in the case of net share settlement, we would receive from such forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the difference. Any such difference could be significant. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)—Sales Through Forward Sellers.”

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In addition, the purchase of our common stock by a forward purchaser or its affiliate to unwind the forward purchaser’s hedge position could cause the price of our common stock to increase over time (or prevent a decrease over time), thereby increasing the amount of cash (in the case of cash settlement), or the number of shares (in the case of net share settlement), that we would owe such forward purchaser upon settlement of the applicable forward sale agreement or decreasing the amount of cash (in the case of cash settlement), or the number of shares (in the case of net share settlement), that such forward purchaser would owe us upon settlement of the applicable forward sale agreement, as the case may be.

In case of our bankruptcy or insolvency, any forward sale agreement that is in effect will automatically terminate, and we would not receive the expected proceeds from any forward sales of our common stock.

If we or a regulatory authority with jurisdiction over us institutes, or we consent to, a proceeding seeking a judgment in bankruptcy or insolvency or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or we or a regulatory authority with jurisdiction over us presents a petition for our winding-up or liquidation, or we consent to such a petition, any forward sale agreement that is then in effect will automatically terminate. If any such forward sale agreement so terminates under these circumstances, we would not be obligated to deliver to the relevant forward purchaser any common stock not previously delivered, and the relevant forward purchaser would be discharged from its obligation to pay the applicable forward sale price per share in respect of any shares of common stock not previously settled under the applicable forward sale agreement. Therefore, to the extent that there are any shares of common stock with respect to which any forward sale agreement has not been settled at the time of the commencement of any such bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, we would not receive the relevant forward sale price per share in respect of those shares.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds that we receive upon the issuance or sale of shares of our common stock by us through the sales agents for general corporate purposes.

We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of borrowed shares of our common stock by the forward sellers, as agents for the forward purchasers, in connection with any forward sale agreement as a hedge of the relevant forward purchaser’s exposure under such forward sale agreement. In the event of full physical settlement of a forward sale agreement (by delivery of our common stock), which we expect to occur on or prior to the maturity date of such forward sale agreement, we expect to receive aggregate cash proceeds equal to the product of the initial forward sale price under such forward sale agreement and the number of shares of our common stock underlying such forward sale agreement, subject to the price adjustment and other provisions of such forward sale agreement. We intend to use any cash proceeds that we receive upon physical settlement of any forward sale agreement, if physical settlement applies, or upon cash settlement of any forward sale agreement, if we elect cash settlement, for the purposes provided in the immediately preceding paragraph. If, however, we elect to cash settle or net share settle any forward sale agreement, we would expect to receive an amount of proceeds that is significantly lower than the product set forth in the second preceding sentence (in the case of any cash settlement) or will not receive any proceeds (in the case of any net share settlement), and we may owe cash (in the case of any cash settlement) or shares of our common stock (in the case of any net share settlement) to the applicable forward purchaser.

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UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME AND

ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock as of the date hereof. Except where noted, this summary deals only with common stock that is held as a capital asset by a non-U.S. holder.

A “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock (other than a partnership or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is not for U.S. federal income tax purposes any of the following:

• an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

• a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

• an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

• a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

This summary is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences different from those summarized below. This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income and estate taxes and does not deal with foreign, state, local or other tax considerations that may be relevant to non-U.S. holders in light of their personal circumstances. In addition, it does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws (including if you are a U.S. expatriate, foreign pension fund, “controlled foreign corporation,” “passive foreign investment company” or a partnership or other pass-through entity or arrangement for U.S. federal income tax purposes). We cannot assure you that a change in law will not alter significantly the tax considerations that we describe in this summary.

If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our common stock, you should consult your tax advisors.

If you are considering the purchase of our common stock, you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the particular U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences to you of the ownership of the common stock, as well as the consequences to you arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

Dividends

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder of our common stock generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the non-U.S. holder within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment) are not subject to the withholding tax, provided certain certification and disclosure requirements are satisfied. Instead, such dividends are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a United States person as defined under the Code. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

A non-U.S. holder of our common stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate and avoid backup withholding, as discussed below, for dividends will be required (a) to complete Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) and certify under penalty of perjury that such holder is not a United States person as defined under the Code and is eligible for treaty benefits or (b) if our common stock is held through certain foreign intermediaries, to satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable U.S. Treasury regulations.

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A non-U.S. holder of our common stock eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service.

Gain on Disposition of Common Stock

Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, any gain realized on the disposition of our common stock generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:

• the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder);

• the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or

• we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period, and either our common stock has ceased to be traded on an established securities market prior to the beginning of the calendar year in which the sale or disposition occurs or the non-U.S. holder owns or has owned a threshold amount of our common stock, as described below.

A non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to U.S. persons. A non-U.S. holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively contained gains, as adjusted for certain items. An individual non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet point immediately above will be subject to a flat 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) tax on the gain derived from the sale, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States.

We have not determined whether we are a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we are or become a “United States real property holding corporation,” so long as our common stock continues to be regularly traded on an established securities market, only a non-U.S. holder who actually or constructively holds or held (at any time during the shorter of the five year period preceding the date of disposition or the holder’s holding period) more than 5% of our common stock will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the disposition of our common stock.

U.S. Federal Estate Tax

Common stock held by an individual non-U.S. holder at the time of death will be included in such holder’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

We must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to each non-U.S. holder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.

A non-U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding for dividends paid to such holder unless such holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption.

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Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of our common stock made within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Additional Withholding Requirements

Under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as “FATCA”), a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax may apply to any dividends paid on our common stock to (i) a “foreign financial institution” (as specifically defined in the Code) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) its compliance (or deemed compliance) with FATCA (which may alternatively be in the form of compliance with an intergovernmental agreement with the United States) in a manner which avoids withholding, or (ii) a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specifically defined in the Code) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) adequate information regarding certain substantial United States beneficial owners of such entity (if any). If a dividend payment is both subject to withholding under FATCA and subject to the withholding tax discussed above under “—Dividends,” the withholding under FATCA may be credited against, and therefore reduce, such other withholding tax. Payments of dividends that you receive in respect of common stock could be affected by this withholding if you are subject to the FATCA information reporting requirements and fail to comply with them or if you hold common stock through a non-United States person (e.g., a foreign bank or broker) that fails to comply with these requirements (even if payments to you would not otherwise have been subject to FATCA withholding). You should consult your own tax advisor regarding these requirements and whether they may be relevant to your ownership and disposition of our common stock.

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CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the purchase of shares of our common stock by (i) “employee benefit plans” within the meaning of Section 3(3)of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) that are subject to Title I of ERISA, (ii) plans, individual retirement accounts (“IRAs” each, an “IRA”) and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code or provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of the Code or ERISA (collectively, “Similar Laws”), and (iii) entities whose underlying assets are considered to include the assets of any of the foregoing described in clauses (i) and (ii) pursuant to ERISA or otherwise(each of the foregoing described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) referred to herein as a “Plan”).

General Fiduciary Matters

ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (a “Covered Plan”) and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of a Covered Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of such a Covered Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of such Covered Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to such a Covered Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the Covered Plan.

In considering an investment in shares of our common stock of a portion of the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary should determine whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law relating to a fiduciary’s duties to the Plan including, without limitation, the prudence, diversification, delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.

Prohibited Transaction Issues

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Covered Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving plan assets with persons or entities who are “parties in interest,” within the meaning of ERISA, or “disqualified persons,” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engaged in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the Covered Plan that engaged in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code.

The acquisition of the shares of our common stock by a Covered Plan with respect to which AEP, the sales agents or their respective affiliates (collectively, the “Transaction Parties”) is considered a party in interest or a disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired and is held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption. In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or “PTCEs,” that may apply to the acquisition and holding of shares of our common stock. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE 84-14 respecting transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers, PTCE 90-1 respecting insurance company pooled separate accounts, PTCE 91-38 respecting bank collective investment funds, PT) CE 95-60 respecting life insurance company general accounts and PTCE 96-23 respecting transactions determined by in-house asset managers. In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide relief from the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code for certain transactions, provided that neither the issuer of the securities nor any of its affiliates (directly or indirectly) have or exercise any discretionary authority or control or render any investment advice with respect to the assets of any Covered Plan involved in the transaction and provided further that the Covered Plan pays no more than adequate consideration in connection with the transaction. Each of the above-noted exemptions contain conditions and limitations on its application. Fiduciaries of Covered Plans considering acquiring shares of our common stock in reliance on these or any other exemption should carefully review the exemption in consultation with its own advisors to assure that it is applicable. There can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be available with respect to an otherwise prohibited transaction arising in connection with an investment in our shares of common stock or that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied or that any exemption would cover all potential transactions that may arise in connection with such an investment.

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Certain Plans that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) and non-U.S. plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) may not subject to these “prohibited transaction” rules of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, but may be subject to similar restrictions under applicable Similar Laws.

Accordingly, our shares of common stock (including any interests therein) may not be acquired by any person investing “plan assets” of any Plan, unless such acquisition will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Code or a similar violation of any applicable Similar Laws.

Representation

By acceptance of shares of our common stock, each purchaser and subsequent transferee of shares of our common stock will be deemed to have represented, warranted and acknowledged that either (i) no portion of the assets used by such investor to invest in our shares of common stock constitutes assets of any Plan or (ii) the purchase of shares of our common stock by such purchaser or transferee will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or similar violation under any applicable Similar Laws.

The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries, or other persons considering purchasing shares of our common stock on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether an exemption would be applicable to the purchase and holding of shares of our common stock. Each purchaser has exclusive responsibility for ensuring that its investment in our shares of common stock will not result in a violation of the fiduciary responsibility or prohibited transaction rules of ERISA or the Code, or the provisions of applicable Similar Laws.

This prospectus supplement and sale of our shares of common stock to a Plan is in no respect a representation or recommendation by any of the Transaction Parties that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by Plans generally or any particular Plan or that such an investment is appropriate or advisable for Plans generally or any particular Plan. The decision to invest in common shares must be made solely by each prospective Plan on an arm’s length transaction.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

We have entered into a distribution agreement, dated November 6, 2020, with each of the sales agents, forward sellers and forward purchasers under which we may issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 in the aggregate of shares of our common stock from time to time through the sales agents acting as sales agents or directly to the sales agents acting as principals for the offer and sale of shares of our common stock. Further, the distribution agreement provides that, in addition to the issuance and sale of shares of our common stock by us through the sales agents, we also may deliver from time to time instructions to any sales agent specifying that such sales agent, as a forward seller, use commercially reasonable efforts to sell shares of our common stock borrowed by the applicable forward purchaser in connection with one or more forward sale agreements, as described below. In no event will the aggregate number of shares of our common stock sold through the sales agents, each as an agent for us, as principal and as a forward seller, under the distribution agreement have an aggregate sales price in excess of $1,000,000,000.

The sales, if any, of shares of our common stock under the distribution agreement will be made in “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the existing trading market for shares of our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker or through an electronic communications network. In addition, shares of our common stock may be offered and sold by such other methods, including privately negotiated transactions (including block transactions), as we and any sales agent agree to in writing.

We have also agreed to reimburse the sales agents, the forward sellers and the forward purchasers for their reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses, including substantially all fees and expenses of counsel in connection with the at-the-market program. These reimbursed fees and expenses are deemed to be underwriting compensation to the sales agents under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) Rule 5110.

In connection with the sale of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement, the sales agents and the forward purchasers may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to the sales agents and the forward purchasers may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to indemnify the sales agents and the forward purchasers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

If a sales agent or we have reason to believe that the exemptive provisions set forth in Rule 101(c)(1) of Regulation M under the Exchange Act are not satisfied, that party will promptly notify the other and sales of common stock under the distribution agreement will be suspended until that or other exemptive provisions have been satisfied in the judgment of the sales agents and us.

We estimate that the total expenses from this offering payable by us, excluding compensation payable to the sales agents under the distribution agreement, will be approximately $934,000.

We intend to report to the SEC at least quarterly (1) the number of shares of our common stock sold through the sales agents in connection with at-the-market sales as described below under “—Sales Through Sales Agents,” (2) the number of borrowed shares of our common stock sold by the forward sellers, as agents for the forward purchasers, in connection with the forward sale agreements as described below under “—Sales Through Forward Sellers” and (3) the net proceeds received by us and the compensation paid by us to the sales agents in connection with transactions described in clauses (1) and (2).

Sales of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and the sales agents may agree upon. The offering of common stock pursuant to the distribution agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale, under the distribution agreement, of shares of our common stock with an aggregate sales price of $1,000,000,000, and (2) the termination of the distribution agreement, pursuant to its terms, by either all of the sales agents or us.

In the ordinary course of their business, certain of the sales agents and/or their affiliates have in the past performed, and may continue to perform, investment banking, broker dealer, lending, financial advisory or other services for us for which they have received, or may receive, separate fees.

The sales agents and their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. In the ordinary course of their business, the sales agents and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and

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actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of the Company. The sales agents and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Sales Through Sales Agents

From time to time during the term of the distribution agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, we may deliver instructions to any of the sales agents. Upon receipt of such instructions from us, and subject to the terms and conditions of the distribution agreement, each sales agent has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell the amount of shares of our common stock specified in our instructions. We or the relevant sales agent may suspend the offering of shares of our common stock at any time upon proper notice to the other, upon which the selling period will immediately terminate. Settlement for sales of shares of our common stock will occur on the second trading day following the date on which the sales were made unless another date shall be agreed to in writing by us and the relevant sales agent. The obligation of any sales agent under the distribution agreement to sell shares of our common stock pursuant to our instructions is subject to a number of conditions, which such sales agent reserves the right to waive in its sole discretion.

We will pay each sales agent a commission equal to up to 2% of the sales price of all shares of our common stock sold through it as our agent under the distribution agreement.

Sales Through Forward Sellers

From time to time during the term of the distribution agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, we may enter into one or more forward sale agreements with a forward purchaser and deliver instructions to its sales agent, requesting that the sales agent execute sales of borrowed shares of our common stock as a forward seller in connection with the applicable forward sale agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions of the distribution agreement, the relevant forward purchaser will attempt to borrow, and such forward seller will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell, such shares of our common stock on such terms to hedge such forward purchaser’s exposure under such forward sale agreement. We or the relevant forward seller may immediately suspend the offering of shares of our common stock at any time upon proper notice to the other. We expect settlement between a forward purchaser and the relevant forward seller of sales of borrowed shares of our common stock, as well as the settlement between the relevant forward seller and buyers of such shares in the market, to occur on the second trading day following each date on which the sales are made unless another date shall be agreed to in writing by us and the relevant sales agent. The obligation of each forward seller under the distribution agreement to execute such sales of shares of our common stock is subject to a number of conditions, which each forward seller reserves the right to waive in its sole discretion.

In connection with each forward sale agreement, the relevant forward seller will receive, reflected in a reduced initial forward sale price payable by the relevant forward purchaser under its forward sale agreement, a commission equal to up to 2% of the volume weighted average of the sales prices of all borrowed shares of our common stock sold during the applicable period by it as a forward seller. We refer to this commission rate as the forward selling commission.

The initial forward sale price per share under each forward sale agreement will equal the product of (1) an amount equal to one minus the applicable forward selling commission and (2) the volume weighted average price per share at which the borrowed shares of our common stock were sold pursuant to the distribution agreement by the relevant forward seller to hedge the relevant forward purchaser’s exposure under such forward sale agreement. Thereafter, the initial forward sale price will be subject to price adjustment as described below. If we elect to physically settle any forward sale agreement by delivering shares of our common stock, we will receive an amount of cash from the relevant forward purchaser equal to the product of the initial forward sale price per share under such forward sale agreement and the number of shares of our common stock underlying such forward sale agreement, subject to the price adjustment and other provisions of such forward sale agreement. Each forward sale agreement will provide that the initial forward sale price, as well as the sales prices used to calculate the initial forward sale price, will be subject to adjustment based on a floating interest rate factor equal to the federal funds rate less a spread. In addition, the initial forward sale price will be subject to decrease on certain dates

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specified in the relevant forward sale agreement by the amount per share of quarterly dividends we currently expect to declare during the term of such forward sale agreement. If the federal funds rate is less than the spread on any day, the interest rate factor will result in a daily reduction of the forward sale price.

Before any issuance of shares of our common stock upon settlement of any forward sale agreement, we expect that the shares issuable upon settlement of such forward sale agreement will be reflected in our diluted earnings per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of shares of our common stock used in calculating diluted earnings per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of shares that would be issued upon full physical settlement of such forward sale agreement over the number of shares that could be purchased by us in the market (based on the average market price of our common stock during the applicable reporting period) using the proceeds receivable upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of the reporting period). Consequently, we anticipate there will be no dilutive effect on our earnings per share except during periods when the average market price of shares of our common stock is above the applicable adjusted forward sale price subject to increase or decrease as described in the immediately preceding paragraph. However, if we decide to physically settle or net share settle any forward sale agreement, delivery of our shares to the relevant forward purchaser on the physical settlement or net share settlement of the forward sale agreement would result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity.

We expect that settlement of any forward sale agreement will generally occur no later than the date specified in such forward sale agreement. However, any forward sale agreement may be settled earlier than that specified date in whole or in part at our option. Except under the circumstances described below, we have the right, in lieu of physical settlement of any forward sale agreement, to elect cash or net share settlement of such forward sale agreement. If we elect cash or net share settlement of any forward sale agreement, we would expect the relevant forward purchaser or one of its affiliates to purchase shares of our common stock in secondary market transactions over an unwind period to:

• return shares of our common stock to securities lenders in order to unwind such forward purchaser’s hedge (after taking into consideration any shares of our common stock to be delivered by us to such forward purchaser, in the case of net share settlement); and,

• if applicable, in the case of net share settlement, deliver shares of our common stock to us to the extent required in settlement of such forward sale agreement.

If the volume-weighted average price at which the relevant forward purchaser (or its affiliate) purchases shares during the applicable unwind period under a forward sale agreement is above the relevant forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would pay the relevant forward purchaser under such forward sale agreement an amount in cash equal to the difference or, in the case of net share settlement, we would deliver to such forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the difference. Thus, we could be responsible for a potentially substantial cash payment in the case of cash settlement. If the volume-weighted average price at which the relevant forward purchaser (or its affiliate) purchases shares during the applicable unwind period under a forward sale agreement is below the relevant forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would be paid the difference in cash by the relevant forward purchaser under such forward sale agreement or, in the case of net share settlement, we would receive from such forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the difference.

In addition, the purchase of our common stock by a forward purchaser or its affiliate to unwind the forward purchaser’s hedge position could cause the price of our common stock to increase over time (or prevent a decrease over time), thereby increasing the amount of cash (in the case of cash settlement), or the number of shares (in the case of net share settlement), that we would owe such forward purchaser upon settlement of the applicable forward sale agreement or decreasing the amount of cash (in the case of cash settlement), or the number of shares (in the case of net share settlement), that such forward purchaser would owe us upon settlement of the applicable forward sale agreement, as the case may be.

A forward purchaser will have the right to accelerate the forward sale agreement that it enters into with us and require us to physically settle such forward sale agreement (with respect to all or any portion of the transaction under such forward sale agreement that such forward purchaser determines is affected by such event) on a date specified by such forward purchaser if:

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• in such forward purchaser’s commercially reasonable judgment, it or its affiliate is unable to hedge its exposure under such forward sale agreement because (x) insufficient shares of our common stock have been made available for borrowing by securities lenders or (y) the forward purchaser or its affiliate would incur a stock borrowing cost in excess of a specified threshold;

• we declare any dividend, issue or distribution on shares of our common stock

• payable in cash in excess of specified amounts,

• that constitutes an extraordinary dividend under the forward sale agreement,

• payable in securities of another company as a result of a spinoff or similar transaction, or

• of any other type of securities (other than our common stock), rights, warrants or other assets for payment (cash or other consideration) at less than the prevailing market price;

• certain ownership thresholds applicable to such forward purchaser and its affiliates are exceeded;

• an event is announced that if consummated would result in a specified extraordinary event (including certain mergers or tender offers, as well as certain events involving our nationalization, a delisting of our common stock, or change in law); or

• certain other events of default or termination events occur, including, among others, any material misrepresentation made in connection with such forward sale agreement or our insolvency (each as more fully described in each forward sale agreement).

A forward purchaser’s decision to exercise its right to accelerate any forward sale agreement and to require us to settle any such forward sale agreement will be made irrespective of our interests, including our need for capital. In such cases, we could be required to issue and deliver shares of our common stock under the terms of the physical settlement provisions of the applicable forward sale agreement irrespective of our capital needs, which would result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity. In addition, upon certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us, the forward sale agreement will terminate without further liability of either party. Following any such termination, we would not issue any shares and we would not receive any proceeds pursuant to the forward sale agreement.

Restrictions on Sales of Similar Securities

During any period beginning on the date we deliver instructions to any of the sales agents and ending on the settlement date with respect to the sale of such shares, we have agreed not to, unless we give the sales agents prior written notice, (i) directly or indirectly offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of our common stock or any equity securities or securities convertible into or exercisable, redeemable or exchangeable for shares of our common stock or file any registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any of the foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of our common stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of our common stock, in cash or otherwise. The restriction described in this paragraph does not apply to:

• sales of shares of our common stock we offer or sell pursuant to the distribution agreement (including sales of borrowed shares of our common stock by the forward sellers in connection with any forward sale agreement);

• the issuance by us of shares of our common stock pursuant to, or the grant of options under our stock option, employee benefit or dividend reinvestment plans (as described in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus), or the filing of a registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of our common stock issued or reserved for issuance under such plans; or

• the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the repurchase of shares of our common stock, provided that such plan does not provide for the repurchase of our common stock during the Delivery Period.

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No Public Offering Outside of the United States

No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the shares of our common stock, or the possession, circulation, or distribution of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any other material relating to us or the shares of our common stock in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the shares of our common stock may not be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

European Economic Area

The common stock is not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”) or in the United Kingdom (“UK”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2016/97/EU (the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the common stock or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA or in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the common stock or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the UK may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of common stock in any Member State of the EEA or in the UK will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of common stock. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation.

United Kingdom

This communication is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The common stock is only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such common stock will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any of their contents.

Each sales agent has represented and agreed that:

(a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the common stock in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA would not, if the issuer was not an authorized person apply to the issuer; and

(b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the common stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Conflicts of Interest

The forward purchasers will receive the net proceeds of any sale of borrowed shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement in connection with any forward sale agreement. Because certain sales agents or their affiliates are is expected to receive part of the net proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock in connection with any forward sale agreement, such sales agents would be deemed to have a conflict of interest under FINRA Rule 5121. As a result, such sales agents would be required to conduct the distribution of our common stock in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121. If the distribution is conducted in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, such sales agents would not be permitted to sell to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without first receiving specific written approval from the account holder.

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters with respect to this offering will be passed on for us by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Houston, Texas and David C. House, Esq., Associate General Counsel of American Electric Power Service Corporation, our affiliate, or William E. Johnson, Esq., Senior Counsel of American Electric Power Service Corporation. Certain legal matters with respect to the offering will be passed on for the sales agents, forward sellers and forward purchasers by Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, New York, New York. From time to time, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP acts as counsel to our affiliates for some matters.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to AEP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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PROSPECTUS

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC.

1 RIVERSIDE PLAZA

COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215

(614) 716-1000

SENIOR NOTES

COMMON STOCK

JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS

STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

TERMS OF SALE

This prospectus contains summaries of the general terms of the securities. You will find the specific terms of these securities, and the manner in which they are being offered, in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the available prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

The common stock of American Electric Power Company, Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the symbol “AEP”. The last reported sale of the common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC on November 5, 2020 was $90.71 per share.

In this prospectus, unless the context indicates otherwise, the words “we”, “ours” and “us” refer to American Electric Power Company, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

INVESTING IN THESE SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE THE SECTION ENTITLED “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE 2 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

The securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission, nor have these organizations determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is November 6, 2020.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. Please see the risk factors described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and all subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The risks and uncertainties described are those presently known to us.

THE COMPANY

We are a public utility holding company that owns, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding common stock of our domestic electric utility subsidiaries and varying percentages of other subsidiaries. Substantially all of our operating revenues derive from the furnishing of electric service. We were incorporated under the laws of New York in 1906 and reorganized in 1925. Our principal executive offices are located at 1 Riverside Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215, and our telephone number is (614) 716-1000.

We own, directly or indirectly, all the outstanding common stock of the following operating public utility companies: AEP Texas Inc., Appalachian Power Company, Indiana Michigan Power Company, Kentucky Power Company, Kingsport Power Company, Ohio Power Company, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Southwestern Electric Power Company and Wheeling Power Company. These operating public utility companies supply electric service in portions of Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. We also own all of the membership interests of AEP Transmission Holding Company, LLC, a holding company for our transmission operation joint ventures and for seven transmission-only electric utilities, each of which is geographically aligned with our utility operations.

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENTS

We will provide information to you about the securities in up to three separate documents that progressively provide more detail: (a) this prospectus provides general information some of which may not apply to your securities, (b) the accompanying prospectus supplement provides more specific terms of your securities, and (c) the pricing supplement, if any, provides the final terms of your securities. It is important for you to consider the information contained in this prospectus, the prospectus supplement, and the pricing supplement, if any, in making your investment decision.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We also file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. You may examine our SEC filings through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including any documents filed after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to its effectiveness) until we sell all the securities.

• Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019;

• Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June  30, 2020 and September 30, 2020; and

• Current Reports on Form 8-K filed March 5, 2020, March  23, 2020, March  30, 2020, April  22, 2020, August  17, 2020, September  15, 2020 and November  2, 2020 and Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed September 16, 2020, which amended Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 15, 2020.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Investor Relations

American Electric Power Service Corporation

1 Riverside Plaza

Columbus, Ohio 43215

614-716-1000

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus and in any written communication from us or any underwriters specifying the final terms of the particular offering. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of any of the offered securities will be used for general corporate purposes relating to our business. These purposes may include redeeming or repurchasing outstanding debt, replenishing working capital, and financing our subsidiaries’ ongoing construction and maintenance programs. If we do not use the net proceeds immediately, we will temporarily invest them in short-term, interest-bearing obligations. At September 30, 2020 we had $1.65 billion in short-term debt outstanding.

The prospectus supplement of a particular offering of securities will identify the use of proceeds for the offering.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR NOTES

General

We will issue the Senior Notes directly to the public, to a trust or as part of a Stock Purchase Unit, under an Indenture dated May 1, 2001 (as previously supplemented and amended, the “Indenture”) between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York), as trustee (the “Trustee”). This prospectus briefly outlines some provisions of the Indenture. If you would like more information on these provisions, you should review the Indenture and any supplemental indentures or company orders that we have filed or will file with the SEC. See Where You Can Find More Information on page 2 on how to locate these documents. You may also review these documents at the Trustee’s offices at 2 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois.

The Indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Notes that may be issued. The Indenture permits us to issue Senior Notes in one or more series or tranches upon the approval of our board of directors and as described in one or more company orders or supplemental indentures. Each series of Senior Notes may differ as to their terms. The Indenture also gives us the ability to reopen a previous issue of a series of Senior Notes and issue additional Senior Notes of such series.

Because we are a holding company, the claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will have a priority over our equity rights and the rights of our creditors (including the holders of the Senior Notes) to participate in the assets of the subsidiary upon the subsidiary’s liquidation.

The Senior Notes are unsecured and will rank equally with all our unsecured unsubordinated debt. For current information on our debt outstanding see our most recent Form 10-K and 10-Q. See Where You Can Find More Information.

A pricing or prospectus supplement will include the final terms for each Senior Note. If we decide to list upon issuance any Senior Note or Senior Notes on a securities exchange, a pricing or prospectus supplement will identify the exchange and state when we expect trading could begin. The following terms of the Senior Notes that we may sell at one or more times will be established in the applicable pricing or prospectus supplement:

• Maturity

• Fixed or floating interest rate

• Remarketing features

• Certificate or book-entry form

• Redemption

• Not convertible, amortized or subject to a sinking fund

• Interest paid on fixed rate Senior Notes quarterly or semi-annually

• Interest paid on floating rate Senior Notes monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually

• Issued in multiples of a minimum denomination

• Ability to defer payment of interest

• Any other terms not inconsistent with the Indenture

• Issued with Original Issue Discount

The Senior Notes will be denominated in U.S. dollars and we will pay principal and interest in U.S. dollars. Unless an applicable pricing or prospectus supplement states otherwise, the Senior Notes will not be subject to any conversion, amortization, or sinking fund. We expect that the Senior Notes issued to the public will be “book-entry,” represented by a permanent global Senior Note registered in the name of Cede & Co., The Depository Trust Company’s partnership nominee or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. We reserve the right, however, to issue Senior Note certificates registered in the name of the Senior Noteholders.

In the discussion that follows, whenever we talk about paying principal on the Senior Notes, we mean at maturity or redemption. Also, in discussing the time for notices and how the different interest rates are calculated, all times are New York City time and all references to New York mean The City of New York, unless otherwise noted.

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The Indenture does not protect holders of the Senior Notes if we engage in a highly leveraged transaction.

The following terms may apply to each Senior Note as specified in the applicable pricing or prospectus supplement and the Senior Note:

Redemptions

If we issue redeemable Senior Notes, we may redeem such Senior Notes at our option unless an applicable pricing or prospectus supplement states otherwise. The pricing or prospectus supplement will state the terms of redemption. We may redeem Senior Notes in whole or in part by delivering written notice to the Senior Noteholders no more than 60, and not less than 30, days prior to redemption. If we do not redeem all the Senior Notes of a series at one time, DTC (as defined herein), in the case of Senior Notes represented by a global security, will select the particular Senior Notes or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding Senior Notes not previously redeemed in accordance with applicable procedures of DTC. If Senior Note certificates are outstanding, the Trustee selects the Senior Notes to be redeemed by lot or in such other manner it determines to be fair.

Remarketed Notes

If we issue Senior Notes with remarketing features, an applicable pricing or prospectus supplement will describe the terms for the Senior Notes including: interest rate, remarketing provisions, our right to purchase or redeem Senior Notes, the holders’ right to tender Senior Notes, and any other provisions.

Note Certificates-Registration, Transfer, and Payment of Interest and Principal

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of Senior Notes issued to the public will be issued initially in the form of one or more global notes, in registered form, without coupons, as described under Book-Entry System. However, if we issue Senior Note certificates, they will be registered in the name of the Senior Noteholder. The Senior Notes may be transferred or exchanged, pursuant to administrative procedures in the Indenture, without the payment of any service charge (other than any tax or other governmental charge) by contacting the paying agent. Payments to public holders of Senior Note certificates will be made by check or by wire transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the person entitled thereto as specified in the security register.

Original Issue Discount

We may issue the Senior Notes at an original issue discount, bearing no interest or bearing interest at a rate that, at the time of issuance, is below market rate, to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Generally speaking, if the Senior Notes are issued at an original issue discount and there is an event of default or acceleration of their maturity, holders will receive an amount less than their principal amount. Tax and other special considerations applicable to original issue discount debt will be described in the prospectus supplement in which we offer those Senior Notes.

Interest Rate

The interest rate on the Senior Notes will either be fixed or floating. The interest paid will include interest accrued to, but excluding, the date of maturity or redemption. Interest is generally payable to the person in whose name the Senior Note is registered at the close of business on the record date before each interest payment date. Interest payable at maturity or redemption, however, will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable.

If we issue a Senior Note after a record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, we will pay the first interest payment on the interest payment date after the next record date. We will pay interest payments by check or wire transfer, at our option.

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Fixed Rate Senior Notes

A pricing or prospectus supplement will designate the record dates, payment dates, our ability to defer interest payments and the fixed rate of interest payable on a Senior Note. We will pay interest quarterly or semi-annually, and upon maturity or redemption. Unless an applicable pricing or prospectus supplement states otherwise, if any payment date falls on a day that is not a business day, we will pay interest on the next business day and no additional interest will be paid. Interest payments will be the amount of interest accrued to, but excluding, each payment date. Interest will be computed using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Floating Rate Notes

Each floating rate Senior Note will have an interest rate formula. The applicable pricing or prospectus supplement will state the initial interest rate or interest rate formula on each Senior Note effective until the first interest reset date. The applicable pricing or prospectus supplement will state the method and dates on which the interest rate will be determined, reset and paid.

Events of Default

The following are events of default under the Indenture with respect to any series of Senior Notes, unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement:

• failure to pay for three business days the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Senior Note of a series when due and payable;

• failure to pay for 30 days any interest on any Senior Note of any series when due and payable;

• failure to perform any other requirements in such Senior Notes, or in the Indenture in regard to such Senior Notes, for 90 days after notice;

• certain events of our bankruptcy or insolvency; or

• any other event of default specified in a series of Senior Notes.

An event of default for a particular series of Senior Notes does not necessarily mean that an event of default has occurred for any other series of Senior Notes issued and outstanding under the Indenture. If an event of default occurs and continues, the Trustee or the holders of at least 33% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes of the series affected may require us to repay the entire principal of the Senior Notes of such series immediately (“Repayment Acceleration”). In most instances, the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes of the affected series may rescind a previously triggered Repayment Acceleration. However, if we cause an event of default because we have failed to pay (unaccelerated) principal, premium, if any, or interest, Repayment Acceleration may be rescinded only if we have first cured our default by depositing with the Trustee enough money to pay all (unaccelerated) past due amounts and penalties, if any.

Subject to certain exceptions, the Trustee must within 90 days after a default occurs, notify the holders of the Senior Notes of the series of default unless such default has been cured or waived. We are required to file an annual certificate with the Trustee, signed by an officer, concerning any default by us under any provisions of the Indenture.

Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to its duties in case of default, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders unless such holders offer the Trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to the provisions for indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Senior Notes of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to, or exercising any trust or power conferred on, the Trustee with respect to such Senior Notes.

Modification of Indenture

Under the Indenture, our rights and obligations and the rights of the holders of any Senior Notes may be changed. Any change affecting the rights of the holders of any series of Senior Notes requires the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Senior Notes of all series affected by the change, voting as one class. However, we cannot change the terms of payment of principal or interest, or reduce the percentage required for changes or a waiver of default, unless the holder consents. We may issue additional series of Senior Notes and take other action that does not affect the rights of holders of any series by executing supplemental indentures without the consent of any Senior Noteholders.

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Consolidation, Merger or Sale

We may merge or consolidate with any entity or sell substantially all of our assets as an entirety as long as the successor or purchaser (i) is organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (ii) expressly assumes the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Notes.

Legal Defeasance

We will be discharged from our obligations on the Senior Notes of any series at any time if:

• we deposit with the Trustee sufficient cash or government securities to pay the principal, interest, any premium and any other sums due to the stated maturity date or a redemption date of the Senior Note of the series, and

• we deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel stating that the federal income tax obligations of Senior Noteholders of that series will not change as a result of our performing the action described above.

If this happens, the Senior Noteholders of the series will not be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture except for registration of transfer and exchange of Senior Notes and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated Senior Notes.

Covenant Defeasance

We will be discharged from our obligations under any restrictive covenant applicable to the Senior Notes of a particular series if we perform both actions described above. See Legal Defeasance. If this happens, any later breach of that particular restrictive covenant will not result in Repayment Acceleration. If we cause an event of default apart from breaching that restrictive covenant, there may not be sufficient money or government obligations on deposit with the Trustee to pay all amounts due on the Senior Notes of that series. In that instance, we would remain liable for such amounts.

Governing Law

The Indenture and Senior Notes of all series will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

Concerning the Trustee

We and our affiliates use or will use some of the banking services of the Trustee in the normal course of business. The Trustee is also the Subordinated Indenture Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

Our authorized capital stock currently consists of 600,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $6.50 per share. 496,389,534 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding as of November 5, 2020. Our common stock, including the common stock offered in this prospectus once issued, is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 43081, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3081, is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

Dividend Rights

The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive the dividends declared by our board of directors provided funds are legally available for such dividends. Our income derives from our common stock equity in the earnings of our subsidiaries. Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements may impose certain restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances.

Voting Rights

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held.

Pre-emptive Rights

The holders of our common stock do not have the right to subscribe for or purchase any part of any new or additional issue of our common stock.

Rights Upon Liquidation

If we are liquidated, holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata all assets available for distribution to our shareholders after payment of our liabilities, including liquidation expenses.

Restrictions on Dealing with Existing Shareholders

We are subject to Section 513 of New York’s Business Corporation Law, which provides that no domestic corporation may purchase or agree to purchase more than 10% of its stock from a shareholder who has held the shares for less than two years at any price that is higher than the market price unless the transaction is approved by both the corporation’s board of directors and a majority of the votes of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon at a meeting of shareholders, unless the certificate of incorporation requires a greater percentage of the votes of the outstanding shares to approve or the corporation offers to purchase shares from all the holders on the same terms. Our certificate of incorporation does not currently provide for a higher percentage.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

General

We will issue the Junior Subordinated Debentures directly to the public, to a trust or as part of a Stock Purchase Unit under the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated March 1, 2008 (the “Subordinated Indenture”) between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York), as the trustee (the “Subordinated Indenture Trustee”). This prospectus briefly outlines some provisions of the Subordinated Indenture. If you would like more information on these provisions, you should review the Subordinated Indenture and any supplemental indentures or company orders that we will file with the SEC. See Where You Can Find More Information on how to locate these documents. You may also review these documents at the Subordinated Indenture Trustee’s offices at 2 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois.

The Junior Subordinated Debentures are unsecured obligations and are junior in right of payment to “Senior Indebtedness”. You may find a description of the subordination provisions of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, including a description of Senior Indebtedness under Subordination.

Because we are a holding company, the claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will have a priority over our equity rights and the rights of our creditors (including the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures) to participate in the assets of the subsidiary upon the subsidiary’s liquidation.

The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures that we may issue under it. We may issue Junior Subordinated Debentures from time to time under the Subordinated Indenture in one or more series by entering into supplemental indentures or by our Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee authorizing the issuance. The Subordinated Indenture also gives us the ability to reopen a previous issue of a series of Junior Subordinated Debentures and issue additional Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series.

A pricing or prospectus supplement will include the final terms for each Junior Subordinated Debenture. If we decide to list upon issuance any Junior Subordinated Debenture or Junior Subordinated Debentures on a securities exchange, a pricing or prospectus supplement will identify the exchange and state when we expect trading could begin. The following terms of the Junior Subordinated Debentures that we may sell at one or more times will be established in a prospectus supplement:

• Maturity

• Fixed or floating interest rate

• Remarketing features

• Certificate or book-entry form

• Redemption

• Not convertible, amortized or subject to a sinking fund

• Interest paid on fixed rate Junior Subordinated Debentures quarterly or semi-annually

• Interest paid on floating rate Junior Subordinated Debentures monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually

• Issued in multiples of a minimum denomination

• Ability to defer payment of interest

• Any other terms not inconsistent with the Subordinated Indenture

• Issued with Original Issue Discount

The Subordinated Indenture does not protect the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures if we engage in a highly leveraged transaction.

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Redemption

Provisions relating to the redemption of Junior Subordinated Debentures will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may redeem Junior Subordinated Debentures only upon notice mailed at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. If we do not redeem all the Junior Subordinated Debentures of a series at one time, DTC, in the case of Junior Subordinated Debentures represented by a global security, will select the particular Junior Subordinated Debentures or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures not previously redeemed in accordance with applicable procedures of DTC. If Junior Subordinated Debenture certificates are outstanding, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee selects the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be redeemed by lot or in such other manner it determines to be fair.

Junior Subordinated Debenture Certificates-Registration, Transfer, and Payment of Interest and Principal

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of Junior Subordinated Debentures issued to the public initially will be in the form of one or more global Junior Subordinated Debentures, in registered form, without coupons, as described under Book-Entry System. However, if we issue Junior Subordinated Debenture certificates, they will be registered in the name of the Junior Subordinated Debentureholder. The Junior Subordinated Debentures may be transferred or exchanged, pursuant to administrative procedures in the Subordinated Indenture, without the payment of any service charge (other than any tax or other governmental charge) by contacting the paying agent. Payments to public holders of Junior Subordinated Debenture certificates will be made by check or by wire transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the person entitled thereto as specified in the security register.

Original Issue Discount

We may issue the Junior Subordinated Debentures at an original issue discount, bearing no interest or bearing interest at a rate that, at the time of issuance, is below market rate, to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Generally speaking, if the Junior Subordinated Debentures are issued at an original issue discount and there is an event of default or acceleration of their maturity, holders will receive an amount less than their principal amount. Tax and other special considerations applicable to original issue discount debt will be described in the prospectus supplement in which we offer those Junior Subordinated Debentures.

Interest Rate

The interest rate on the Junior Subordinated Debentures will either be fixed or floating. The interest paid will include interest accrued to, but excluding, the date of maturity or redemption. Interest is generally payable to the person in whose name the Junior Subordinated Debenture is registered at the close of business on the record date before each interest payment date. Interest payable at maturity or redemption, however, will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable.

If we issue a Junior Subordinated Debenture after a record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, we will pay the first interest payment on the interest payment date after the next record date. We will pay interest payments by check or wire transfer, at our option.

Fixed Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures

A pricing or prospectus supplement will designate the record dates, payment dates, our ability to defer interest payments and the fixed rate of interest payable on a Junior Subordinated Debenture. We will pay interest quarterly or semi-annually, and upon maturity or redemption. Unless an applicable pricing or prospectus supplement states otherwise, if any payment date falls on a day that is not a business day, we will pay interest on the next business day and no additional interest will be paid. Interest payments will be the amount of interest accrued to, but excluding, each payment date. Interest will be computed using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures

Each floating rate Junior Subordinated Debenture will have an interest rate formula. The applicable pricing or prospectus supplement will state the initial interest rate or interest rate formula on each Junior Subordinated Debenture effective until the first interest reset date. The applicable pricing or prospectus supplement will state the method and dates on which the interest rate will be determined, reset and paid.

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Events of Default

The following are events of default under the Subordinated Indenture with respect to any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures, unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement:

• failure to pay for three business days the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Junior Subordinated Debenture of a series when due and payable;

• failure to pay for 30 days any interest on any Junior Subordinated Debenture of any series when due and payable;

• failure to perform any other requirements in such Junior Subordinated Debentures, or in the Subordinated Indenture, for 90 days after notice;

• certain events of our bankruptcy or insolvency; or

• any other event of default specified in a series of Junior Subordinated Debentures.

An event of default for a particular series of Junior Subordinated Debentures does not necessarily mean that an event of default has occurred for any other series of Junior Subordinated Debentures issued under the Subordinated Indenture. If an event of default occurs and continues, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee or the holders of at least 33% of the principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures of the series affected may require us to repay the entire principal of the Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series immediately (“Repayment Acceleration”). In most instances, the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures of the affected series may rescind a previously triggered Repayment Acceleration. However, if we cause an event of default because we have failed to pay (unaccelerated) principal, premium, if any, or interest, Repayment Acceleration may be rescinded only if we have first cured our default by depositing with the Subordinated Indenture Trustee enough money to pay all (unaccelerated) past due amounts and penalties, if any.

Subject to certain exceptions, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee must within 90 days after a default occurs, notify the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures of the series of default unless such default has been cured or waived. We are required to file an annual certificate with the Subordinated Indenture Trustee, signed by an officer, concerning any default by us under any provisions of the Subordinated Indenture.

Subject to the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture relating to its duties in case of default, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Subordinated Indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders unless such holders offer the Subordinated Indenture Trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to the provisions for indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to, or exercising any trust or power conferred on, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee with respect to such Junior Subordinated Debentures.

Modification of Subordinated Indenture

Under the Subordinated Indenture, our rights and obligations and the rights of the holders of any Junior Subordinated Debentures may be changed. Any change affecting the rights of the holders of any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures requires the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures of all series affected by the change, voting as one class. However, we cannot change the terms of payment of principal or interest, or reduce the percentage required for changes or a waiver of default, unless the holder consents. We may issue additional series of Junior Subordinated Debentures and take other action that does not affect the rights of holders of any series by executing supplemental indentures without the consent of any debentureholders.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

We may merge or consolidate with any entity or sell substantially all of our assets as an entirety as long as the successor or purchaser (i) is organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (ii) expressly assumes the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

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Legal Defeasance

We will be discharged from our obligations on the Junior Subordinated Debentures of any series at any time if:

• we deposit with the Subordinated Indenture Trustee sufficient cash or government securities to pay the principal, interest, any premium and any other sums due to the stated maturity date or a redemption date of the Junior Subordinated Debenture of the series, and

• we deliver to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee an opinion of counsel stating that the federal income tax obligations of debentureholders of that series will not change as a result of our performing the action described above.

If this happens, the debentureholders of the series will no longer be entitled to the benefits of the Subordinated Indenture except for registration of transfer and exchange of Junior Subordinated Debentures and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated Junior Subordinated Debentures.

Covenant Defeasance

We will be discharged from our obligations under any restrictive covenant applicable to the Junior Subordinated Debentures of a particular series if we perform both actions described above. See Legal Defeasance. If this happens, any later breach of that particular restrictive covenant will not result in Repayment Acceleration. If we cause an event of default apart from breaching that restrictive covenant, there may not be sufficient money or government obligations on deposit with the Subordinated Indenture Trustee to pay all amounts due on the Junior Subordinated Debentures of that series. In that instance, we would remain liable for such amounts.

Junior Subordinated Debentures issued to a trust will not be subject to covenant defeasance.

Subordination

Each series of Junior Subordinated Debentures will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, to all Senior Indebtedness as defined below. If:

• we make a payment or distribution of any of our assets to creditors upon our dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise;

• a default beyond any grace period has occurred and is continuing with respect to the payment of principal, interest or any other monetary amounts due and payable on any Senior Indebtedness; or

• the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated because of a default on that Senior Indebtedness,

then the holders of Senior Indebtedness generally will have the right to receive payment, in the case of the first instance, of all amounts due or to become due upon that Senior Indebtedness, and, in the case of the second and third instances, of all amounts due on that Senior Indebtedness, or we will make provision for those payments, before the holders of any Junior Subordinated Debentures have the right to receive any payments of principal or interest on their Junior Subordinated Debentures.

“Senior Indebtedness” means, with respect to any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures, the principal, premium, interest and any other payment in respect of any of the following:

• all of our indebtedness that is evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other securities we sell for money or other obligations for money borrowed;

• all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the preceding category which we have assumed or guaranteed or which we have in effect guaranteed through an agreement to purchase, contingent or otherwise; and

• all renewals, extensions or refundings of indebtedness of the kinds described in either of the preceding two categories.

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Any such indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding, however, will not be Senior Indebtedness if the instrument creating or evidencing it or the assumption or Guarantee of it provides that it is not superior in right of payment to or is equal in right of payment with those Junior Subordinated Debentures. Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions in the Subordinated Indenture irrespective of the amendment, modification or waiver of any term of the Senior Indebtedness.

The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness that we may issue. As of September 30, 2020, our Senior Indebtedness totaled approximately $5.29 billion.

Governing Law

The Subordinated Indenture and Junior Subordinated Debentures of all series are governed by the laws of the State of New York.

Concerning the Trustee

We and our affiliates use or will use some of the banking services of the Subordinated Indenture Trustee in the normal course of business. The Subordinated Trustee is also the Trustee under the Indenture relating to the Senior Notes.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND THE STOCK

PURCHASE UNITS

We may issue Stock Purchase Contracts representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from us and we may sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock (or a range of numbers of shares pursuant to a predetermined formula) at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock may be fixed at the time the Stock Purchase Contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the Stock Purchase Contracts.

The Stock Purchase Contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units, often known as Stock Purchase Units, consisting of a Stock Purchase Contract and either Debt Securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder’s obligations to purchase the common stock under the Stock Purchase Contracts.

The Stock Purchase Contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the Stock Purchase Units or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The Stock Purchase Contracts may require holders to secure their obligations in a specified manner and in certain circumstances we may deliver newly issued prepaid Stock Purchase Contracts, often known as prepaid securities, upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder’s obligations under the original Stock Purchase Contract.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units and, if applicable, prepaid securities. The description in the applicable prospectus supplement will not necessarily contain all of information that you may find useful. For more information, you should review the Stock Purchase Contracts, the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the document pursuant to which the prepaid securities will be issued. These documents will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of such Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units and, if applicable, prepaid securities.

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BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM

Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, book-entry only securities of a series will be issued in the form of a global security that the Trustee will deposit with the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), New York, New York. This means that we will not issue security certificates to each holder. One or more global securities will be issued to Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee) or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC who will keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have purchased the securities. The participant will then keep a record of its clients who purchased the securities. Unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificate, a global security may not be transferred, except that DTC, its nominees, and their successors may transfer a global security as a whole to one another.

Beneficial interests in global securities will be shown on, and transfers of global securities will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.

DTC, the world’s largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that DTC’s participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). The DTC Rules applicable to its Participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com .

Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security (“Beneficial Owner”) is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants’ records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the securities is discontinued.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Beneficial Owners of securities may wish to take certain steps to augment the transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to the securities, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults, and proposed amendments to the securities documents. For example, Beneficial Owners of securities may wish to ascertain that the nominee holding the securities for their benefit has agreed to obtain and transmit notices to Beneficial Owners. In the alternative, Beneficial Owners may wish to provide their names and addresses to the registrar and request that copies of notices be provided directly to them.

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Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC’s MMI Procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).

Payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit Direct Participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us or the Trustee on the payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name”, and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC, the Trustee or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds and distributions to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is our responsibility, disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.

A Beneficial Owner shall give notice to elect to have its securities purchased or tendered, through its Participant, to the Tender/Remarketing Agent, and shall effect delivery of such securities by causing the Direct Participant to transfer the Participant’s interest in the securities, on DTC’s records, to the Tender/Remarketing Agent. The requirement for physical delivery of the securities in connection with an optional tender or a mandatory purchase will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the securities are transferred by Direct Participants on DTC’s records and followed by a book-entry credit of tendered securities to the Tender/Remarketing Agent’s DTC account.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, security certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, security certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities (a) through agents; (b) through underwriters or dealers; or (c) directly to one or more purchasers.

By Agents

Securities may be sold on a continuing basis through agents designated by us. The agents will agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment.

Any initial offering price and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

The agents will not be obligated to make a market in the securities. We cannot predict the amount of trading or liquidity of the securities.

By Underwriters

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms under which the securities are offered, including the name or names of any underwriters, the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us from the sale, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation, any initial offering price and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if any are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

The underwriters may not be obligated to make a market in the securities. We cannot predict the amount of trading or liquidity of the securities.

Direct Sales

We may also sell securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.

General Information

Underwriters, dealers, and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”), and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on the resale of the securities by them may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Act.

We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Act or to contribute to payments that each underwriter, dealer or agent may be required to make in respect thereto.

Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their businesses.

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LEGAL OPINIONS

Our counsel, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, NY and Houston, TX, or David C. House, Esq., Associate General Counsel of American Electric Power Service Corporation, one of our affiliates, or William E. Johnson, Esq., Senior Counsel of American Electric Power Service Corporation, will issue an opinion about the legality of the securities for us. Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, New York, NY will issue an opinion for the agents or underwriters. From time to time, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP acts as counsel to our affiliates for some matters.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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