EXHIBIT 12 AEP TEXAS NORTH COMPANY Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges (in thousands except ratio data) Twelve Year Ended December 31, Months ----------------------------------------------- Ended 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 6/30/03 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ------- Earnings: Net Income Before Extraordinary Item and Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change $37,725 $31,867 $27,450 $12,310 $(13,677) $ 6,343 Plus Federal Income Taxes 28,088 4,187 5,315 16,760 2,806 15,578 Plus State Income Taxes - - - 1,973 (1,363) 1,242 Plus Provision for Deferred Income Taxes (6,626) 12,025 9,401 (11,891) (12,275) (14,824) Plus Deferred Investment Tax Credits (1,321) (1,274) (1,271) (1,271) (1,271) (1,395) Plus Fixed Charges (as below) 24,932 25,083 24,923 24,916 21,885 21,565 ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- Total Earnings $82,798 $71,888 $65,818 $42,797 $ (3,895) $ 28,509 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======== ======== Fixed Charges: Interest on Long-term Debt $20,352 $20,352 $18,017 $16,842 $17,174 $17,767* Interest on Short-term Debt 4,580 4,731 6,503 7,563 4,051 3,138* Estimated Interest Element in Lease Rentals - - 403 511 660 660 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total Fixed Charges $24,932 $25,083 $24,923 $24,916 $21,885 $21,565 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 3.32 2.86 2.64 1.71 (0.17) 1.32 ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== * Certain amounts have been reclassified between interest on short-term and long-term debt compared to periods prior to January 1, 2002. This reclassification had no affect on the ratio. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Earnings to cover Fixed Charges was deficient by $25,780,000.