Registration No. 33-     
                                                                           

                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                       FORM S-3
                                REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                        UNDER
                              THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                              Appalachian Power Company
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Virginia                                               54-0124790
          (State or other jurisdiction                     (I.R.S. Employer
          of incorporation or organization)             Identification No.)

          40 Franklin Road
          Roanoke, Virginia                                           24011
          (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)

           Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 540-985-2300

                              ARMANDO A. PENA, Treasurer
                     AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER SERVICE CORPORATION
                                  1 Riverside Plaza
                                 Columbus, Ohio 43215
                                     614-223-2850
              (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

             It is respectfully requested that the Commission send copies
                    of all notices, orders and communications to:

          Simpson Thacher & Bartlett         Dewey Ballantine
          425 Lexington Avenue               1301 Avenue of the Americas
          New York, NY 10017-3909            New York, NY 10019-6092
          Attention: James M. Cotter         Attention: E. N. Ellis, IV


          Approximate date of commencement of proposed  sale to the public:
          At such time  or times after the effective date  of the Registra-
          tion Statement as the registrant shall determine.


               If the  only securities  being registered  on this  Form are
          being offered  pursuant  to  dividend  or  interest  reinvestment
          plans, please check the following box.  [ ]
               If any  of the securities being registered  on this Form are
          to be offered  on a delayed or continuous basis  pursuant to Rule
          415  under  the Securities  Act  of 1933,  other  than securities
          offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment
          plans, please check the following box.  [X]

               If this Form is filed to  register additional securities for
          an offering  pursuant to Rule  462(b) under  the Securities  Act,
          please  check  the following  box  and  list  the Securities  Act
          registration   statement  number   of   the   earlier   effective
          registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
               If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to
          Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
          list  the Securities  Act  registration statement  number of  the
          earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  
          [ ]
               If  delivery  of  the  prospectus  is  expected  to be  made
          pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box.  [ ]

                           CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


             Title of                 Proposed
            Each Class                 Maximum    Proposed
            of Securi-                Offering    Maximum
               ties        Amount       Price    Aggregate     Amount of
              to be         to be        Per      Offering    Registration
            Registered   Registered     Unit*      Price*         Fee
               Debt
            Securities  $155,000,000    100%    $155,000,000    $53,449

          *Estimated solely  for purpose  of  calculating the  registration
          fee.



               The registrant hereby amends this  registration statement on
          such date  or dates  as may be  necessary to delay  its effective
          date until  the registrant shall  file a further  amendment which
          specifically  states  that  this  registration   statement  shall
          thereafter become  effective in  accordance with Section  8(a) of
          the  Securities Act of 1933, or  until the registration statement
          shall become  effective on  such date as  the Commission,  acting
          pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

                                                                           

          The within  Prospectus contains the information  required by Rule
          429 of  the Commission  under  the Securities  Act of  1933  with
          respect  to  $70,000,000 of  Debt  Securities  of the  registrant
          remaining  unsold  under  Registration  Statement  No.  33-58431,
          declared effective April 10, 1995.


          INFORMATION  CONTAINED   HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR
          AMENDMENT.  A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES
          HAS  BEEN  FILED WITH  THE  SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION.
          THESE  SECURITIES  MAY  NOT BE  SOLD  NOR MAY  OFFERS  TO  BUY BE
          ACCEPTED  PRIOR TO  THE TIME  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT BECOMES
          EFFECTIVE.  THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL
          OR THE SOLICITATION  OF AN OFFER  TO BUY NOR  SHALL THERE BE  ANY
          SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,
          SOLICITATION OR SALE  WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO  REGISTRATION OR
          QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION.


                    SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 20, 1996


          PROSPECTUS


                              Appalachian Power Company
                                     $225,000,000
                                   Debt Securities


               Appalachian  Power Company (the "Company") intends to offer,
          from time to time, up  to $225,000,000 aggregate principal amount
          of  its  First  Mortgage  Bonds  (the  "New  Bonds")  and/or  its
          unsecured debt securities (the "Notes").  (The  New Bonds and the
          Notes  are  hereinafter collectively  referred  to  as the  "Debt
          Securities").  The Debt Securities will be offered in one or more
          series in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the
          time  or times of  sale.  The  title, aggregate principal amount,
          rate and time  of payment of  interest, maturity, initial  public
          offering  price, if  any, redemption  provisions, if  any, credit
          enhancement,   if  any,  improvement   fund,  if   any,  dividend
          restrictions in addition to  those described herein, if  any, and
          other specific terms of each series of Debt Securities in respect
          of which this Prospectus is being  delivered will be set forth in
          an  accompanying  prospectus or  pricing  supplement ("Prospectus
          Supplement").


          THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED  BY THE
          SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES
          COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
          STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
          OF  THIS PROSPECTUS.   ANY  REPRESENTATION TO  THE CONTRARY  IS A
          CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

               The Company may sell  the Debt Securities through underwrit-
          ers, dealers or  agents, or directly to one or more institutional
          purchasers.  A  Prospectus Supplement will set forth the names of
          underwriters  or agents,  if any,  any applicable  commissions or
          discounts and the net proceeds to the Company from any such sale.


                   The date of this Prospectus is February   , 1996


               No dealer,  salesperson or other person  has been authorized
          to  give  any  information  or  to make  any  representation  not
          contained in this Prospectus in connection with the offer made by
          this  Prospectus or  any Prospectus  Supplement  relating hereto,
          and, if given  or made, such  information or representation  must
          not be relied  upon as having been  authorized by the  Company or
          any  underwriter, agent or  dealer.  Neither  this Prospectus nor
          this  Prospectus as  supplemented  by  any Prospectus  Supplement
          constitutes an  offer to sell,  or a solicitation of  an offer to
          buy, by any underwriter,  agent or dealer in any  jurisdiction in
          which it is  unlawful for  such underwriter, agent  or dealer  to
          make such an offer or solicitation.  Neither the delivery of this
          Prospectus or  this Prospectus as supplemented  by any Prospectus
          Supplement  nor  any  sale   made  thereunder  shall,  under  any
          circumstances,  create any  implication  that there  has been  no
          change in  the affairs of  the Company since  the date hereof  or
          thereof.

                                AVAILABLE INFORMATION

               The Company is subject  to the informational requirements of
          the  Securities  Exchange Act  of 1934  (the  "1934 Act")  and in
          accordance therewith files reports and other information with the
          Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").  Such reports and
          other information  may  be inspected  and  copied at  the  public
          reference facilities  maintained by the SEC at  450 Fifth Street,
          N.W., Washington,  D.C., 20549;  Northwestern Atrium  Center, 500
          West Madison Street, Suite 1400,  Chicago, Illinois, 60661; and 7
          World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048.  Copies
          of such  material  can  be  obtained from  the  Public  Reference
          Section  of the  SEC, 450  Fifth  Street, N.W.,  Washington, D.C.
          20549  at prescribed rates.   Certain of the Company's securities
          are  listed  on  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange,  Inc.  and  the
          Philadelphia Stock Exchange, where  reports and other information
          concerning the Company may also be inspected.

                         DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

               The following  documents filed by  the Company with  the SEC
          are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference:

               --   The Company's Annual  Report on Form 10-K  for the year
                    ended December 31, 1994; and

               --   The Company's  Quarterly Reports  on Form 10-Q  for the
                    periods  ended  March  31,  1995,  June  30,  1995  and
                    September 30, 1995.

               All documents subsequently filed  by the Company pursuant to
          Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act  after the date
          of this Prospectus and  prior to the termination of  the offering
          made by this  Prospectus shall  be deemed to  be incorporated  by
          reference  in this Prospectus  and to be  a part hereof  from the
          date of filing of such documents. 

               Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed
          to  be incorporated  by reference  herein shall  be deemed  to be
          modified or  superseded for  purposes of  this Prospectus to  the
          extent  that  a  statement  contained  herein  or  in  any  other
          subsequently filed document which is deemed to be incorporated by
          reference  herein  or  in  a Prospectus  Supplement  modifies  or
          supersedes  such statement.   Any  such statement so  modified or
          superseded  shall  not  be  deemed,  except  as  so  modified  or
          superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

               The  Company will provide  without charge to  each person to
          whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, on the written
          or oral request of  any such person, a copy of any  or all of the
          documents   described  above  which  have  been  incorporated  by
          reference  in  this  Prospectus,  other  than  exhibits  to  such
          documents.   Written requests for copies of such documents should
          be addressed to Mr.  G. C. Dean, American Electric  Power Service
          Corporation, 1  Riverside Plaza, Columbus, Ohio  43215 (telephone
          number: 614-223-1000).   The information relating  to the Company
          contained  in  this  Prospectus   or  any  Prospectus  Supplement
          relating  hereto does not purport  to be comprehensive and should
          be read together with the  information contained in the documents
          incorporated by reference.

                                     THE COMPANY

               The  Company   is  engaged  in  the   generation,  purchase,
          transmission  and distribution of electric power to approximately
          859,000 customers in Virginia and West Virginia, and in supplying
          electric power  at wholesale to other  electric utility companies
          and  municipalities  in  those  states and  in  Tennessee.    Its
          principal  executive offices  are  located at  40 Franklin  Road,
          S.W., Roanoke, Virginia  24011 (telephone number:  540-985-2300).
          The Company is a  subsidiary of American Electric Power  Company,
          Inc.  ("AEP")  and  is a  part  of  the  American Electric  Power
          integrated  utility system  (the  "AEP System").   The  executive
          offices of AEP are  located at 1 Riverside Plaza,  Columbus, Ohio
          43215 (telephone number: 614-223-1000).

                                   USE OF PROCEEDS

               The Company proposes to  use the proceeds from the  sales of
          the  Debt Securities  to  refund  long-term  debt,  to  fund  its
          construction   program,   or   to   repay   short-term  unsecured
          indebtedness incurred  to refund  long-term debt.   The Company's
          First  Mortgage  Bonds,  9-7/8%   Series  due  2020  ($20,584,000
          principal amount  outstanding) may  be redeemed at  their regular
          redemption price of 106.87%.  The Company's First Mortgage Bonds,
          9.35%  Series due 2021 ($50,000,000 principal amount outstanding)
          may be redeemed  on or  after August  13, 1996  at their  regular
          redemption price of 107.02%.  The Company's First Mortgage Bonds,
          7-5/8% Series due 2002 ($43,350,000 principal amount outstanding)
          may be  redeemed at  their regular  redemption price  of 100.00%.
          The  Company's  First  Mortgage  Bonds, 7-1/2%  Series  due  1998
          ($45,000,000  principal  amount outstanding)  may be  redeemed at
          their regular redemption  price of 100.60%.  The  Company's First
          Mortgage Bonds,  7-1/2%  Series due  2002 ($59,760,000  principal
          amount outstanding)  may be redeemed at  their regular redemption
          price  of 100.71%.   Such Bonds may  also be redeemed  at a lower
          special  redemption  price  (but  not  lower  than  100%  of  the
          principal   amount  thereof)  through  the  application  of  cash
          deposited  with  the  Trustee  (as defined  below),  pursuant  to
          certain provisions of the Mortgage (as defined below).

               The Company has estimated that its consolidated construction
          costs (inclusive of allowance for funds used during construction)
          during 1996 will be approximately  $204,000,000.  At February 12,
          1996, the  Company had  approximately  $93,000,000 of  short-term
          unsecured indebtedness outstanding.

                          RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

               Below  is set forth the  ratio of earnings  to fixed charges
          for each of the years in the period 1990 through 1994 and for the
          12 month period ended September 30, 1995:


                        12-Month
                      Period Ended                Ratio

                    December 31, 1990             2.63
                    December 31, 1991             2.85
                    December 31, 1992             2.58
                    December 31, 1993             2.69
                    December 31, 1994             2.37
                    September 30, 1995            2.32


                               DESCRIPTION OF NEW BONDS

               The New Bonds will be issued  under the Mortgage and Deed of
          Trust,  dated  as of  December 1,  1940, made  by the  Company to
          Bankers Trust Company,  New York City, as  Trustee, as heretofore
          supplemented and amended and as  to be further supplemented  (the
          "Mortgage").  All First Mortgage Bonds (including the New  Bonds)
          issued and to be  issued under the Mortgage are  herein sometimes
          referred  to as "Bonds".   Copies of the  Mortgage, including the
          respective forms of Supplemental Indenture pursuant to which each
          series of the  New Bonds  will be issued  (the "new  Supplemental
          Indenture") are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement.

               The  following statements include brief summaries of certain
          provisions of instruments under  which securities of the Company,
          including Bonds, have been issued.  Certain of these  instruments
          apply  to the issuance of New Bonds.  Such instruments, including
          amendments  and  supplements  thereto,  have been  filed  by  the
          Company  as  exhibits  to   the  Registration  Statement.    Such
          summaries do not purport to be complete and  reference is made to
          such  instruments  for  complete statements  of  such provisions.
          Such summaries are  qualified in their entirety by such reference
          and do not  relate or give effect  to provisions of  statutory or
          common law.

          Form and Exchange

               Unless otherwise  set forth in a  Prospectus Supplement, New
          Bonds  in definitive form will be issued only as registered Bonds
          without  coupons  in denominations  of  $1,000  and in  multiples
          thereof  authorized  by   the  Company.     New  Bonds  will   be
          exchangeable for  a like aggregate  principal amount of  the same
          series of New Bonds of  other authorized denominations, and  will
          be transferable, at  the office or agency  of the Company  in New
          York City, and  at such other office or agency  of the Company as
          the  Company  may from  time to  time  designate, in  either case
          without  payment,  until further  action by  the Company,  of any
          charge  other than  for any  tax or  taxes or  other governmental
          charge required to be paid by the Company.  Bankers Trust Company
          is  to be designated by the Company  to act as agent for payment,
          registration,  transfer and exchange of the New Bonds in New York
          City.

          Maturity, Interest, Redemption,  Credit Enhancement,  Improvement
          Fund, Additional Dividend Restrictions and Payment

               Information  concerning  the maturity,  interest, redemption
          provisions, if any, credit enhancement, if any, improvement fund,
          if any, any  dividend restrictions in addition to those described
          herein and  payment with respect to  any series of  the New Bonds
          will be contained in a Prospectus Supplement.

          Security

               The  New Bonds will be secured, pari passu with Bonds of all
          other series now or hereafter issued, by the lien of the Mortgage
          which,  except   as   provided  in   the   following   paragraph,
          constitutes, in the opinion  of counsel for the Company,  a first
          lien  on substantially  all of  the fixed  physical property  and
          franchises of the Company, subject only to (a) the conditions and
          limitations in  the instruments through which  the Company claims
          title to  its properties, (b) "excepted  encumbrances" as defined
          in Section  6 of the  Mortgage, including claims  later perfected
          into statutory liens or equitable priorities for taxes, services,
          materials and supplies, (c) the prior lien of the Trustee for its
          compensation,  expenses and liabilities,  and (d) in  the case of
          property acquired of  record by the Company since the recordation
          of  the  supplemental indenture  dated as  of  June 1,  1995 (not
          affixed to other property so as thereby  to become subject to the
          Mortgage), recordation of a supplemental indenture conveying such
          property to the Trustee.

               Property acquired  after the recordation of  the most recent
          supplemental indenture may be subject to liens, ranking  prior to
          the  lien  of  the Mortgage,  existing  thereon  at  the time  of
          acquisition  of  such property,  and  the  lien  thereon  of  the
          Mortgage may be  subject to the rights of others which may attach
          prior to  recordation of a supplemental  indenture conveying such
          property to the Trustee after its acquisition.  The provisions of
          the Mortgage,  in substance, permit releases of property from the
          lien and  the withdrawal  of cash  proceeds of  property released
          from  the  lien,  not only  against  new  property then  becoming
          subject to the lien, but also against property already subject to
          the  lien  of the  Mortgage, unless  such  property was  owned at
          August 31, 1940, or has been made the basis of the issue of Bonds
          or   a  credit  under  Sections   20  or  40   of  the  Mortgage.
          Accordingly, any  increase  in the  amount of  the mortgaged  and
          pledged  property  as a  result  of  the after-acquired  property
          clause  may  be  eliminated   by  means  of  such  releases   and
          withdrawals.

          Issuance of Additional Bonds

               Additional  Bonds of any series may be issued in a principal
          amount equal to:

                    1.   60% of the cost or the then fair value,  whichever
               is less, of unfunded  property additions after deduction for
               retirements;

                    2.   The principal amount of  Bonds or prior lien bonds
               retired or then to be retired; and

                    3.   The amount of cash deposited with the Trustee;

          but,  except as otherwise provided  in the Mortgage,  only if the
          net  earnings (as defined  in Section 7  of the  Mortgage) are at
          least twice  the annual  interest requirement on  all outstanding
          Bonds and indebtedness having  an equal or prior  lien, including
          the  additional issue.  However,  no Bonds may  be issued against
          property  additions subject to prior liens, as defined in Section
          6  of the  Mortgage (a)  if the  principal amount  of outstanding
          prior lien bonds secured thereby exceeds 40% of the  cost or fair
          value  (whichever is less) of  such property additions  or (b) if
          the principal  amount of  all  Bonds theretofore  issued on  such
          basis and continuing  on such  basis, and the  amount of  certain
          other  items representing  deposited cash  withdrawn  or property
          released  on such  basis, in  the aggregate,  exceeds 15%  of the
          aggregate  principal  amount  of  all  Bonds  theretofore  issued
          (except Bonds issued  under Article VII upon retirement  of Bonds
          previously  outstanding  under   the  Mortgage),  including   the
          additional issue.  (See Sections 4, 7, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
          and 40 of the Mortgage and "Description of New Bonds--Maintenance
          and Replacement Provisions" below.)

               The requirement, referred to above, that  net earnings be at
          least twice  the annual interest requirements  on all outstanding
          Bonds and indebtedness having an equal or prior lien, including a
          proposed  additional  issue of  Bonds,  is  not applicable  under
          certain  circumstances where  additional  Bonds are  issued in  a
          principal  amount equal to the principal amount of Bonds or prior
          lien  bonds retired or then to be  retired (see Section 30 of the
          Mortgage).     In   calculating  earnings  coverages   under  the
          provisions of the Mortgage, the  Company includes, as a component
          of earnings, revenues being  collected subject to refund  and, to
          the extent not limited by the terms of the Mortgage, an allowance
          for funds used during  construction, including amounts positioned
          and classified  as an  allowance for  borrowed funds used  during
          construction.  The coverage  under such requirement calculated as
          of  December 31, 1995 based  on the amounts  then recorded in the
          accounts of the Company, was at least 3.47.

               It is estimated that as of February 1, 1996, the Company had
          available for use in connection with  the authentication of Bonds
          approximately  $1,073,000,000  of   unbonded  bondable   property
          additions.   The  Company  expects that  the  New Bonds  will  be
          authenticated upon the basis of Bonds previously retired or to be
          retired and/or property additions.

          Other Restrictions Upon Creation and/or Issuance of New Bonds and
          Other Senior Securities

               There  are,  in  addition  to  the  foregoing  restrictions,
          additional limitations  upon the creation and/or  issuance by the
          Company of  long-term  debt securities  and  of shares  of  stock
          ranking, as to  dividends and distributions  of assets, prior  to
          the common stock equity of the Company.

               The  issuance   of  additional  securities   is  limited  by
          provisions  of  the Restated  Articles  of  Incorporation of  the
          Company  which  require  the  consent   of  the  holders  of  the
          Cumulative  Preferred  Stock then  outstanding  prior  to certain
          corporate actions.

               The  favorable vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the
          total  voting  power  of  the  Cumulative  Preferred  Stock  then
          outstanding is required (see  Restated Articles of Incorporation,
          Article V, Paragraph (7)(A)) (a) to increase the total authorized
          amount  of  the  Cumulative Preferred  Stock;  (b)  to  create or
          authorize  any  series  of stock  (other  than  a  series of  the
          Cumulative  Preferred Stock) ranking prior to or on a parity with
          the Cumulative Preferred Stock  as to assets or dividends,  or to
          create or  authorize any obligation or  security convertible into
          shares  of any  such stock,  or to  issue any such  prior ranking
          stock or  security more than twelve  months after the date  as of
          which the Company was empowered to create or authorize such stock
          or security; or  (c) to change  any of the  express terms of  the
          Cumulative Preferred  Stock or of any  outstanding series thereof
          in  a manner prejudicial to the holders thereof.  Under Paragraph
          (7)(A)(c) of Article V of the Restated Articles of Incorporation,
          if  less than  all  series are  prejudicially affected,  only the
          consent of the holders of two-thirds of the total number of votes
          which  holders of  the  shares of  each  series so  affected  are
          entitled to cast is required.

               The favorable vote of the holders of a majority of the total
          voting power  of the Cumulative Preferred  Stock then outstanding
          is  required  before the  Company may  (see Restated  Articles of
          Incorporation, Article V, Paragraph (7)(B)):

                    (a)  merge  or  consolidate  with  or  into  any  other
               corporation or  corporations, or  sell all  or substantially
               all of its assets,  unless such action has been  approved by
               the SEC or by a successor regulatory authority;

                    (b)  issue or  assume  any evidences  of  indebtedness,
               secured or unsecured (other than (i)  Bonds issued under the
               Company's Mortgage,  (ii) bonds issued under  a new mortgage
               replacing the  Mortgage, (iii) bonds issued  under any other
               new  mortgage,  provided   the  Mortgage  shall   have  been
               irrevocably closed against  the authentication of additional
               Bonds thereunder, (iv) indebtedness  secured by bonds of the
               Company  or by bonds issued under any such new mortgage, (v)
               indebtedness  secured  by  bonds  issued  under  a  mortgage
               existing at the time of  acquisition of property acquired by
               the  Company,  provided  such   mortgage,  or  any  mortgage
               replacing it,  is irrevocably closed  against authentication
               of additional  bonds thereunder, or (vi)  obligations to pay
               the purchase  price of  materials or  equipment made in  the
               ordinary course  of  the Company's  business), for  purposes
               other  than  the  refunding  or  renewing  of  evidences  of
               indebtedness  previously issued  or  assumed by  the Company
               resulting  in equal  or  longer maturities  or redeeming  or
               otherwise  retiring all outstanding shares of the Cumulative
               Preferred  Stock,  if   immediately  after  such  issue   or
               assumption,  (x)  the total  principal  amount  of all  such
               indebtedness (other  than those  referred to in  (i) through
               (vi) above)  issued  or  assumed by  the  Company  and  then
               outstanding (including the evidences of indebtedness then to
               be issued or assumed) would exceed 20% of the sum of (1) the
               total  principal  amount  of  all  debt  securities  of  the
               character hereinbefore described in (i)  through (vi) above,
               issued or assumed by the Company and then to be outstanding,
               and  (2) the stated capital  and surplus of  the Company, or
               (y) the total outstanding  principal amount of all unsecured
               debt securities  of the  Company (other than  obligations of
               the  character described in (vi)  above) would exceed 20% of
               the sum of (1) the total outstanding principal amount of all
               bonds  or other  secured debt  of the  Company, and  (2) the
               stated  capital and surplus of the Company, or (z) the total
               outstanding   principal  amount   of   all  unsecured   debt
               securities  of the  Company (other  than obligations  of the
               character  described in  (vi) above)  of maturities  of less
               than 10 years  would exceed 10% of the sum  of (1) the total
               principal amount of all  bonds or other secured debt  of the
               Company,  and  (2) the  stated  capital and  surplus  of the
               Company; provided that the payment  due upon the maturity of
               unsecured debt having an original  single maturity of 10  or
               more years or the payment due upon the final maturity of any
               unsecured serial debt which had original maturities of 10 or
               more years is not regarded for purposes of this subparagraph
               (b) as  unsecured debt of a  maturity of less  than 10 years
               until payment thereof is required within 3 years;

                    (c)  issue  or reissue  any  shares of  the  Cumulative
               Preferred Stock or of any other class of stock ranking  on a
               parity with the  outstanding shares of  Cumulative Preferred
               Stock as to dividends  or assets for any purpose  other than
               to refinance an amount  of outstanding Cumulative  Preferred
               Stock, or stock  ranking prior to  or on  a parity with  the
               Cumulative Preferred Stock as to dividends or assets, having
               an  aggregate involuntary  liquidation  amount equal  to the
               aggregate involuntary  liquidation amount of such  issued or
               reissued  shares, unless (i) the  net income of the Company,
               determined in accordance  with generally accepted accounting
               principles to be available for the payment  of dividends for
               a  period of  12 consecutive calendar  months within  the 15
               calendar months immediately preceding  the calendar month of
               such  issuance,  is  equal  to at  least  twice  the  annual
               dividend  requirements on  the  Cumulative  Preferred  Stock
               (including dividend  requirements on  such  prior or  parity
               stock),  which  will be  outstanding immediately  after such
               issuance;  (ii) the gross income of the Company for the same
               period  determined  in  accordance with  generally  accepted
               accounting  principles (but  in  any event  after all  taxes
               including  taxes based on income)  is equal to  at least one
               and one-half times the  aggregate of annual interest charges
               on indebtedness (excluding interest charges  on indebtedness
               to  be retired by the  application of the  proceeds from the
               issuance   of   such   shares)  and   the   annual  dividend
               requirements  on the  Cumulative Preferred  Stock (including
               dividend requirements on such  prior or parity stock), which
               will  be outstanding  immediately  after such  issuance; and
               (iii) the aggregate of the Common Stock  Equity, as defined,
               is  at  least  equal  to  the  aggregate  amount  payable in
               connection with an  involuntary liquidation  of the  Company
               with respect to all shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock and
               all shares of such prior or parity stock, if any, which will
               be  outstanding   immediately  after  such  issuance.     No
               dividends  may be paid on Common Stock which would result in
               the reduction of  the Common Stock Equity, as defined, below
               the requirements of clause (iii).

               The restrictions  and limitations  described or  referred to
          above, which  are designed to  protect the relative  positions of
          the holders of outstanding senior  securities of the Company, can
          operate in such manner  as to limit substantially  the additional
          amounts  of senior securities which can be issued by the Company.
          The  Company believes that its  ability to issue  short and long-
          term debt securities  and preferred stock in the amounts required
          to  finance its  operations and  construction program  may depend
          upon timely rate recovery.  If  the Company is unable to continue
          the issue and sale of securities on an orderly basis, the Company
          will be  required to consider the obtaining of additional amounts
          of common  equity, the  use of  possibly more  costly alternative
          financing arrangements,  if available, or the  curtailment of its
          construction program and other outlays.

               Other than the security afforded by the lien of the Mortgage
          and restrictions  on the incurrence of  additional debt described
          above and under "Description of New Bonds--Issuance of Additional
          Bonds" herein,  there are  no  provisions of  the Mortgage  which
          afford holders of  New Bonds protection in the event  of a highly
          leveraged  transaction involving  the Company.   However,  such a
          transaction would  require regulatory approval and  management of
          the  Company  believes  such  approval  would  be  unlikely in  a
          transaction which  would result  in the Company  having a  highly
          leveraged capital structure.

          Maintenance and Replacement Provisions

               Section  40 of the Mortgage  provides (A) in  Part I thereof
          for  the annual  deposit by  the Company  with the Trustee  on or
          before April 30 of an amount in cash or principal amount of Bonds
          of any series equal  to the amount by which a  defined percentage
          (currently 15%)  of the  base operating revenues,  as defined  in
          Section 40, less the cost of purchased power during the preceding
          calendar year exceeds the  aggregate amounts expended during such
          period  by  the  Company  for  repairs  and maintenance  and  for
          property substituted for property  retired since August 31, 1940;
          and  (B) in Part  II thereof  for the  annual deposit  (which the
          Mortgage requires  to be made so long as any  of the Bonds of any
          series  issued  prior to  December 31,  1992 are  outstanding and
          which, except  as disclosed in  a Prospectus Supplement,  the new
          Supplemental Indenture will not require to be made so long as any
          of the New Bonds are outstanding) by the Company with the Trustee
          on or before April 30 of an amount in cash or principal amount of
          Bonds  of any  series equal  to the  excess of  the product  of a
          specified percentage  (currently 2.25%  but subject to  change as
          provided in  the Mortgage)  and the  average  of the  Depreciable
          Property (as  defined) of the Company  at the first and  the last
          day of  the  preceding calendar  year  over the  sum of  (i)  the
          aggregate amount expended during  the preceding calendar year for
          property substituted for retired  property, (ii) the aggregate of
          the  property  additions certified,  and  the  cash and/or  Bonds
          deposited  pursuant to the requirements  of Part I  of Section 40
          with respect to  such year,  and (iii) any  credit applicable  to
          prior years.  The Company may under this covenant certify to  the
          Trustee, in  lieu of depositing cash or Bonds, property additions
          which are not then funded property (which thereupon become funded
          property) at cost or fair value, whichever is less.

               The Supplemental Indenture  dated as of May 1,  1979 amended
          Article  XX to provide that the Mortgage  may at a future date be
          amended  (i)  to  delete  the  requirement  for  annual  deposits
          pursuant to Part I of  Section 40 of the Mortgage and/or  (ii) to
          delete the 15%  limit on Bonds  issued on  the basis of  property
          additions  subject  to  prior  liens, upon  compliance  with  the
          provisions  of the  Mortgage but  without the  favorable vote  or
          consent of  the holder of any  new Bond or any  other Bond issued
          after April 30, 1979 or including any such new Bond or other such
          Bond  in  determining whether  a  quorum  exists  or a  specified
          percentage of holders of Bonds participated in action on any such
          amendment.    The Company,  in its  application  to the  SEC with
          respect to the issuance of $70,000,000 principal  amount of First
          Mortgage  Bonds, 11%  Series  due  1987,  proposed, and  the  SEC
          approved,  a change  in the  specified percentage  in Part  II of
          Section 40 of  the Mortgage from 2.25%  to 2.90%, such change  to
          become  effective  on  the  date  the   Mortgage  is  amended  as
          contemplated in clause (i)  above and to continue at  2.90% until
          another change in such percentage shall be authorized or approved
          upon  application by  the Company  to the  SEC.   If  the Company
          redeems three outstanding series  of First Mortgage Bonds (7-5/8%
          Series due 2002,  7-1/2% Series  due 1998 and  7-1/2% Series  due
          2002), the Company may amend the Mortgage to make such change.

          Release and Substitution of Property

               The  Mortgage permits property to be  released from the lien
          of  the Mortgage  upon  compliance with  the provisions  thereof.
          Such provisions require that, in certain specified cases, cash be
          deposited with  the Trustee in an  amount equal to  the excess of
          the fair value of  the property to be released over the aggregate
          of certain computations required by the Mortgage.  (See  Sections
          65 and 69 of the  Mortgage.)  The Mortgage also contains  certain
          requirements relating to the withdrawal  of release moneys.  (See
          Section 67 of the Mortgage.)

          Modification of the Mortgage

               Article  XX  of  the  Mortgage  provides  for  modifying  or
          altering the Mortgage with the consent of the Company and by vote
          of  the holders  of  at  least 75%  in  principal amount  of  the
          outstanding Bonds which are affected by the proposed modification
          or  alteration.    No  modification or  alteration,  without  the
          consent of the holder of a Bond, may modify the  terms of payment
          of the principal amount of or  interest on such Bond or create an
          equal  or prior  lien or  deprive such  holder of  a lien  on the
          mortgaged property or reduce the above percentage.

          Restriction on Common Stock Dividends

               Various  restrictions on  the use  of retained  earnings for
          cash dividends on Common  Stock and other purposes are  contained
          in or  result from  other covenants  in the  Mortgage and in  its
          charter  provisions and  orders  of regulatory  authorities.   At
          September 30, 1995, the Company's  consolidated retained earnings
          amounted to $192,732,000, of which approximately $33,200,000 were
          so  restricted.    Unless  otherwise specified  in  a  Prospectus
          Supplement, there  will be  no additional restrictions  on common
          stock dividends.

          Concerning the Trustee

               AEP System companies, including the Company, utilize many of
          the  banking services  offered by  Bankers Trust  Company in  the
          normal course of their  businesses.  Among such services  are the
          making  of  short-term loans  and  in certain  cases  term loans,
          generally at rates related to the prime commercial interest rate,
          and acting as a  depositary.  In addition, Bankers  Trust Company
          will  serve  as Trustee  under  the Company's  Indenture  for the
          Notes.  (See "Description of Notes" herein.)

               The  Trustee may, and upon written request of the holders of
          a  majority in principal amount  of the Bonds  shall, declare the
          principal  due upon occurrence  of a  completed default,  but the
          holders of a majority in principal amount of the Bonds  may annul
          such  declaration if the default has been cured.  (See Section 71
          of the Mortgage.)   The holders of a majority in principal amount
          of the Bonds may direct the  time, method and place of conducting
          any proceeding for the enforcement of the Mortgage.  (See Section
          76 of  the Mortgage.)   No Bondholder has the  right to institute
          any proceeding for  the enforcement of  the Mortgage unless  such
          holder shall have given the Trustee written notice of a completed
          default,  the holders  of 25%  in principal  amount of  the Bonds
          shall  have  offered  to  the Trustee  indemnity  against  costs,
          expenses and  liabilities, requested  the Trustee to  take action
          and given the Trustee reasonable opportunity to take such action.
          The foregoing does not affect or impair the right of  a holder of
          a Bond to enforce the payment of the principal of and interest on
          such Bond  on the respective due  dates.  (See Section  86 of the
          Mortgage.)   The  Trustee is  entitled to  be  indemnified before
          taking  action to  enforce  the  lien  at  the  request  of  such
          Bondholders.  (See Section 75 of the Mortgage.)

          Defaults

               By  Section 71 of the Mortgage, the following are defined as
          "completed  defaults":  default  in  the  payment  of  principal;
          default  for 60  days  in the  payment  of interest;  default  in
          payment of principal  or interest on outstanding prior lien bonds
          in  certain cases;  certain events  of bankruptcy,  insolvency or
          reorganization; and default continued for 60 days after notice in
          the performance  of any  other covenant.   By Section  59 of  the
          Mortgage,  a failure to provide money for the redemption of Bonds
          called for redemption also constitutes  a completed default.  The
          Company  is  required  to  furnish  annually  to  the  Trustee  a
          certificate as  to compliance  with all conditions  and covenants
          under the Mortgage.

                                 DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

               The Notes will be issued in series  under an Indenture to be
          entered into  between the Company  and Bankers Trust  Company, as
          Trustee (the "Trustee") (the "Indenture").  The following summary
          does not purport to be complete and is subject in all respects to
          the  provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference
          to, the form of Indenture, and the form of Supplemental Indenture
          thereto,  which  are  filed   as  exhibits  to  the  Registration
          Statement  of  which this  Prospectus  forms  a part.    Whenever
          particular  provisions  or defined  terms  in  the Indenture  are
          referred  to  herein,  such   provisions  or  defined  terms  are
          incorporated by reference herein.  Section and Article references
          used herein are references to  provisions of the Indenture unless
          otherwise noted.

          General

               The Notes  will  be  unsecured  obligations of  the  Company
          and  will  rank  pari  passu  with   all  other   unsecured   and
          unsubordinated  debt  of the  Company.  The  Indenture  does  not
          limit  the  aggregate  principal  amount  of  notes  that may  be
          issued thereunder  and provides that Notes  issued thereunder may
          be issued thereunder from time to time in one or  more series, as
          authorized  by a  Board Resolution,  and set  forth in  a Company
          Order (as defined in  the Indenture) or one or  more supplemental
          indentures  creating  such  series.   The  Restated  Articles  of
          Incorporation  of the  Company,  however, limit  the issuance  of
          long-term  securities.   (See  "Description  of New  Bonds--Other
          Restrictions Upon Creation and/or Issuance of New Bonds and Other
          Senior Securities" above.)

               Substantially all of the  fixed properties and franchises of
          the Company are subject to the  lien of the Mortgage under  which
          the  Company's  First  Mortgage   Bonds  are  outstanding.    See
          "Description of New Bonds".

               The Notes are not convertible into any other security of the
          Company.   The Indenture  does  not contain  any provisions  that
          afford  holders  of Notes  protection in  the  event of  a highly
          leveraged transaction involving the  Company.  Such a transaction
          would require regulatory approval,  and management of the Company
          believes  such approval would be unlikely  in a transaction which
          would result  in the  Company having a  highly leveraged  capital
          structure.  The  Indenture also does  not contain any  provisions
          that  afford  holders of  Notes  protection  against the  Company
          incurring other indebtedness.

          Maturity, Interest, Redemption, Credit Enhancement, Covenants and
          Restrictions and Payment

               Information  concerning  the maturity,  interest, redemption
          provisions, if any, sinking fund, if any, credit  enhancement, if
          any,  any covenants or restrictions, such as limitations on liens
          or dividend restrictions,  and payment with respect to any series
          of the Notes will be contained in a Prospectus Supplement.

          Form and Exchange

               Unless otherwise set forth in a Prospectus Supplement, Notes
          in  definitive  form  will be  issued  only  as registered  Notes
          without  coupons  in  denominations  of $1,000  and  in  integral
          multiples thereof  authorized  by the  Company.   Notes  will  be
          exchangeable for a  like aggregate principal  amount of the  same
          series of  Notes of other  authorized denominations, and  will be
          transferable, at the office or  agency designated by the  Company
          in New York City, or at such other office or agency designated by
          the Company, in either case without payment, until further action
          by the Company, of any charge other than for any tax or taxes  or
          other governmental charge  required to  be paid  by the  Company.
          Bankers Trust Company  is to be designated by  the Company to act
          as  agent for payment, registration, transfer and exchange of the
          Notes in New York City.

          Payment and Paying Agents

               Payment of principal  of and  premium (if any)  on any  Note
          will be made only against surrender  to the Paying Agent of  such
          Note.  Principal of and any premium and interest on Notes will be
          payable at the  office of such Paying  Agent or Paying Agents  as
          the  Company may designate from time  to time, except that at the
          option of  the Company  payment of any  interest may  be made  by
          check mailed to  the address  of the person  entitled thereto  as
          such  address shall appear in  the Note Register  with respect to
          such Notes.

               The Trustee will initially act  as Paying Agent with respect
          to  Notes.   The  Company may  at  any time  designate additional
          Paying  Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agents or
          approve a change  in the  office through which  any Paying  Agent
          acts.  (Sections 4.02 and 4.03 of the Indenture).

               All  moneys paid by  the Company to  a Paying Agent  for the
          payment of  the principal of or  premium or interest,  if any, on
          any Note that  remains unclaimed  at the end  of two years  after
          such principal,  premium, if any,  or interest shall  have become
          due and payable, subject to applicable law, will be repaid to the
          Company and the holder of such Note will thereafter look  only to
          the  Company   for  payment   thereof.  (Section  11.04   of  the
          Indenture).

          Modification of the Indenture

               The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and
          the Trustee, with  the consent of the holders of  not less than a
          majority in principal  amount of  Notes of each  series that  are
          affected  by  the modification,  to modify  the Indenture  or any
          supplemental indenture affecting that series or the rights of the
          holders   of  that  series  of  Notes;  provided,  that  no  such
          modification  may,  without the  consent  of the  holder  of each
          outstanding Note affected thereby,  (i) extend the fixed maturity
          of  any Notes  of  any series,  or  reduce the  principal  amount
          thereof, or reduce  the rate  or extend  the time  of payment  of
          interest  thereon,  or  reduce   any  premium  payable  upon  the
          redemption thereof  or (ii) reduce  the percentage of  Notes, the
          holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental
          indenture.  (Section 9.02 of the Indenture).

               In  addition,  the  Company  and the  Trustee  may  execute,
          without  the consent  of any  holder of  Notes, any  supplemental
          indenture for certain other usual purposes including the creation
          of  any new  series of  notes to  be issued under  the Indenture.
          (Sections 2.01, 9.01 and 10.01 of the Indenture).

          Events of Default

               The Indenture provides that any one or more of the following
          described   events,  which   has  occurred  and   is  continuing,
          constitutes  an "Event of Default" with respect to each series of
          Notes:

                    (a)  failure for  30 days to  pay interest on  Notes of
               that series when due; or

                    (b)  failure to  pay principal  or premium, if  any, on
               Notes  of that  series when  due  whether at  maturity, upon
               redemption, by declaration or otherwise; or

                    (c)  failure  for  30  days  to pay  any  sinking  fund
               obligation on Notes of that series; or

                    (d)  failure by  the Company to observe  or perform any
               other covenant (other  than those  specifically relating  to
               another series) contained in the Indenture for 90 days after
               written  notice  to the  Company  from  the  Trustee or  the
               holders  of  at   least  25%  in  principal  amount  of  the
               outstanding Notes of that series; or

                    (e)  certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or
               reorganization of the Company; or

                    (f)  any  other  event of  default  provided  for in  a
               series of Notes.  (Section 6.01 of the Indenture).

               The Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
          outstanding principal  amount of  any particular series  of Notes
          may  declare the principal  due and  payable immediately  upon an
          Event of Default with respect to such series, but the holders  of
          a  majority in  aggregate  outstanding principal  amount of  such
          series  may annul  such declaration  and waive  the default  with
          respect to  such series if the  default has been cured  and a sum
          sufficient  to  pay  all  matured installments  of  interest  and
          principal otherwise than by acceleration and any premium has been
          deposited  with  the Trustee.   (Sections  6.01  and 6.06  of the
          Indenture).

               The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal
          amount of any series of Notes  have the right to direct the time,
          method  and place  of conducting  any proceeding  for any  remedy
          available to the Trustee for  that series.  (Section 6.06  of the
          Indenture).  Subject to the provisions of the  Indenture relating
          to the  duties of the Trustee  in case an Event  of Default shall
          occur  and be continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation
          to exercise any  of its rights  or powers under the  Indenture at
          the  request or  direction of  any of the  holders of  the Notes,
          unless such  holders shall have offered to  the Trustee indemnity
          satisfactory to it. (Section 7.02 of the Indenture). 

               The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal
          amount of any series of Notes affected thereby may, on behalf  of
          the holders  of all Notes of such series, waive any past default,
          except a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or
          interest  when due  otherwise than  by acceleration  (unless such
          default  has been cured  and a sum sufficient  to pay all matured
          installments   of  interest  and   principal  otherwise  than  by
          acceleration and any premium has been deposited with the Trustee)
          or a  call for redemption of Notes of such series.  (Section 6.06
          of the Indenture).  The Company is required to file annually with
          the Trustee a certificate as to  whether or not the Company is in
          compliance  with  all  the  conditions and  covenants  under  the
          Indenture.  (Section 5.03(d) of the Indenture).

          Consolidation, Merger and Sale

               The Indenture  does not contain any  covenant that restricts
          the  Company's ability to merge  or consolidate with  or into any
          other corporation, sell or convey all or substantially all of its
          assets  to any person, firm or corporation or otherwise engage in
          restructuring   transactions,   provided   that   the   successor
          corporation  assumes due  and  punctual payment  of principal  or
          premium,  if  any, and  interest on  all  notes issued  under the
          Indenture.  (Section 10.01 of the Indenture).

          Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance Discharge

               Notes of a series  may be defeased in accordance  with their
          terms and, unless the Supplemental Indenture or the Company Order
          establishing the terms  of the series otherwise provides,  as set
          forth  below.   The Company  at any  time may  terminate as  to a
          series all  of its  obligations (except for  certain obligations,
          including obligations  with respect  to the defeasance  trust and
          obligations  to register the transfer  or exchange of  a Note, to
          replace destroyed,  lost or stolen Notes and to maintain agencies
          in respect  of the Notes) with respect to the Notes of the series
          and  the Indenture ("legal defeasance").  The Company at any time
          may terminate as to a series its obligations  with respect to the
          Notes of the series  under any restrictive covenant which  may be
          applicable to a particular series ("covenant defeasance").

               The  Company  may  exercise  its  legal  defeasance   option
          notwithstanding  its prior  exercise of  its covenant  defeasance
          option.   If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, a
          series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default.  If
          the Company  exercises its  covenant defeasance option,  a series
          may  not be accelerated by reference  to any restrictive covenant
          which may be applicable to a particular series.

               To exercise  either defeasance  option as  to a  series, the
          Company must deposit in trust  (the "defeasance trust") with  the
          Trustee, money or Governmental Obligations, or a combination, for
          the  payment of principal, premium,  if any, and  interest on the
          Notes of the  series to  redemption or maturity  and must  comply
          with certain other conditions.   In particular, the  Company must
          obtain an opinion  of tax  counsel that the  defeasance will  not
          result in  recognition of any gain or loss to holders for Federal
          income tax purposes.

               In  the event the Company  exercises its option  to effect a
          covenant  defeasance with respect to  the Notes of  any series as
          described  above and  the  Notes of  that  series are  thereafter
          declared due and payable  because of the occurrence of  any Event
          of Default other  than the Event of Default caused  by failing to
          comply with the covenants which are defeased, the amount of money
          and securities on deposit with the Trustee would be sufficient to
          pay amounts due on the Notes of that series at the time of  their
          stated maturity but may not  be sufficient to pay amounts  due on
          the  Notes of  that  series  at  the  time  of  the  acceleration
          resulting from such Event of Default.  However, the Company would
          remain  liable   for  such  payments.    (Section  11.01  of  the
          Indenture).

          Governing Law

               The  Indenture and Notes will  be governed by, and construed
          in accordance with, the laws of  the State of New York.  (Section
          13.05 of the Indenture).

          Concerning the Trustee

               AEP System companies, including the Company, utilize many of
          the  banking services  offered  by Bankers  Trust Company  in the
          normal course of their  businesses.  Among such services  are the
          making  of  short-term loans  and  in certain  cases  term loans,
          generally at rates related to the prime commercial interest rate,
          and acting as a  depositary.  In addition, Bankers  Trust Company
          serves   as  Trustee   under  the   Company's  Mortgage.     (See
          "Description of New Bonds" herein.)

                                    LEGAL OPINIONS

               Opinions with  respect  to the  legality  of the  New  Bonds
          and/or  Notes will be rendered  by Simpson Thacher  & Bartlett (a
          partnership  which  includes   professional  corporations),   425
          Lexington Avenue,  New  York, New  York, and  1 Riverside  Plaza,
          Columbus, Ohio, counsel for the Company, and by Dewey Ballantine,
          1301 Avenue of the Americas,  New York, New York, counsel for any
          underwriters, dealers or agents.  In connection with the issuance
          of New Bonds,  Simpson Thacher  & Bartlett  and Dewey  Ballantine
          will rely  as to  matters of  Virginia law,  upon the opinion  of
          Hunton & Williams,  as to matters of West Virginia  law, upon the
          opinion of Robinson & McElwee and as to matters of Tennessee law,
          upon the opinion  of Hunter, Smith  & Davis, all counsel  for the
          Company.    Additional  legal  opinions in  connection  with  the
          offering  of the  Notes may  be given  by John  M. Adams,  Jr. or
          Thomas  G. Berkemeyer,  counsel for  the Company.   Mr.  Adams is
          Assistant  General  Counsel,  and  Mr.  Berkemeyer  is  a  Senior
          Attorney,  in the  Legal  Department of  American Electric  Power
          Service Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of AEP.  From time
          to  time, Dewey Ballantine acts  as counsel to  affiliates of the
          Company in connection with certain matters.

                                       EXPERTS

               The  financial statements  and  related financial  statement
          schedule incorporated  in this  prospectus by reference  from the
          Company's  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K have  been  audited  by
          Deloitte & Touche  LLP, independent  auditors, as stated in  their
          reports,  which are  incorporated herein  by reference,  and have
          been  so incorporated in reliance  upon the reports  of such firm
          given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

               The  legal  conclusions  in  "Security"  under  the  caption
          "Description of New Bonds",  as to those matters governed  by the
          laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia have been reviewed by Hunton
          & Williams, Richmond, Virginia;  as to those matters  governed by
          the laws  of the  State of West  Virginia by Robinson  & McElwee,
          Charleston,  West Virginia; and  as to those  matters governed by
          the laws of  the State  of Tennessee  by Hunter,  Smith &  Davis,
          Kingsport, Tennessee, all counsel  for the Company.  All  of said
          statements are made on the authority of said firms as experts.

                                 PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

               The  Company may sell  the New Bonds and/or  Notes in any of
          three ways: (i) through underwriters or dealers; (ii) directly to
          a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; or (iii)
          through  agents.  The Prospectus  Supplement relating to a series
          of the  New Bonds and/or  Notes will set  forth the terms  of the
          offering of the  New Bonds  and/or Notes, including  the name  or
          names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, the purchase  price
          of such  New Bonds and/or Notes  and the proceeds  to the Company
          from such  sale, any  underwriting discounts  or agency  fees and
          other items constituting  underwriters' or agents'  compensation,
          any  initial   public  offering   price  and  any   discounts  or
          concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.  Any initial
          public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or
          reallowed or  paid to  dealers may be  changed from time  to time
          after the initial public offering.

               If underwriters are used  in the sale, the New  Bonds and/or
          Notes  will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account
          and may be resold from time to time in one  or more transactions,
          including negotiated  transactions,  at a  fixed public  offering
          price or  at varying prices determined  at the time of  the sale.
          The  underwriters  with  respect  to  a  particular  underwritten
          offering  of  New  Bonds  and/or  Notes  will  be  named  in  the
          Prospectus  Supplement  relating  to  such offering  and,  if  an
          underwriting syndicate is used, the managing underwriters will be
          set  forth  on  the cover  page  of  such  Prospectus Supplement.
          Unless  otherwise set  forth  in the  Prospectus Supplement,  the
          obligations of the underwriters to purchase  the New Bonds and/or
          Notes will  be subject to  certain conditions precedent,  and the
          underwriters will  be obligated  to purchase all  such New  Bonds
          and/or Notes if any are purchased.

               New Bonds and/or Notes  may be sold directly by  the Company
          or  through agents designated by  the Company from  time to time.
          The  Prospectus Supplement will set  forth the name  of any agent
          involved in  the offer or sale  of the New Bonds  and/or Notes in
          respect of which the  Prospectus Supplement is delivered  as well
          as any commissions payable by the Company  to such agent.  Unless
          otherwise indicated in the  Prospectus Supplement, any such agent
          will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for the  period
          of its appointment.

               If so  indicated in  the Prospectus Supplement,  the Company
          will authorize agents, underwriters  or dealers to solicit offers
          by certain  specified institutions  to purchase New  Bonds and/or
          Notes  from the Company at the public offering price set forth in
          the Prospectus  Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts
          providing for payment  and delivery  on a specified  date in  the
          future.  Such contracts  will be subject to those  conditions set
          forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement
          will  set forth the  commission payable for  solicitation of such
          contracts.

               Subject  to certain  conditions,  the Company  may agree  to
          indemnify any  underwriters,  dealers, agents  or purchasers  and
          their  controlling  persons  against certain  civil  liabilities,
          including certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.


                   PART II.  INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

          Item 14.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.*

                    Estimation based upon  the issuance of all  of the Debt
          Securities in one issuance:

          Securities and Exchange Commission 
            Filing Fees                                            $ 53,449
          State Filing and Recordation fees and 
            expenses                                                 40,000
          Printing Registration Statement, 
            Prospectus, etc.                                         25,000
          Printing and Engraving Debt Securities                     10,000
          Independent Auditors' fees                                 15,000
          Charges of Trustee (including counsel fees)                15,500
          Legal fees                                                113,000
          Rating Agency fees                                        138,125
          Miscellaneous expenses                                     20,000

               Total                                               $430,074

          *    Estimated, except for filing fees.


          Item 15.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

               The Bylaws  of the  Company provide  that the  Company shall
          indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be
          made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit
          or  proceeding,  whether   civil,  criminal,  administrative,  or
          investigative and whether formal  or informal because such person
          is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or is or
          was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer,
          partner,  trustee,  employee  or  agent of  another  corporation,
          partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
          enterprise,   against   any   obligations   to   pay   judgments,
          settlements,  penalties,  fines  (including any  excise  tax)  or
          reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by  such
          person  in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if (a)
          such  person conducted  him or  herself in  good faith,  (b) such
          person  believed in the case of conduct in such person's official
          capacity  with the Company (as  defined) that his  or her conduct
          was  in the  best interests  of the  Company, and,  in all  other
          cases, that  his or her conduct  was at least not  opposed to its
          best  interests,  (c) with  respect to  any   criminal  action or
          proceeding, such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or
          her  conduct was  unlawful and (d)  such person was  not  grossly
          negligent    or    guilty    of    willful    misconduct.    Such
          indemnification  in connection  with a  proceeding by  or in  the
          right of the Company  is limited to reasonable  expenses incurred
          in  connection with  the  proceeding.   Any such  indemnification
          (unless ordered  by a court) shall be made by the Company only as
          authorized  in  the  specific  case  upon  a  determination  that
          indemnification of  the director  is proper in  the circumstances
          because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct.

               Section  13.1-698  of the  Code  of  Virginia provides  that
          unless limited  by the  articles of incorporation,  a corporation
          shall indemnify a  director who entirely prevails  in the defense
          of any  action, suit  or proceeding  to which  such person  was a
          party because such person is or was a director of the corporation
          against  reasonable  expenses  incurred in  connection  with such
          action, suit  or proceeding.   Section  13.1-699 provides that  a
          corporation may pay for or reimburse reasonable expenses incurred
          by a  director who is a party to  such a proceeding in advance of
          final  disposition  of  such   proceeding  if  (a)  the  director
          furnishes a written  statement of  his or her  good faith  belief
          that the standard of conduct described in the paragraph above has
          been met; (b)  the director furnishes  the corporation a  written
          undertaking by or on  behalf of the director to repay the advance
          if it is ultimately determined that  such person did not meet the
          standard of conduct;  and (c)  a determination is  made that  the
          facts  then known  to those  making the  determination would  not
          preclude indemnification.  Section 13.1-700.1 provides procedures
          which allow directors  to apply to a court for an order directing
          advances or indemnification.

               Section  13.1-702  provides  that   unless  limited  by  the
          articles of incorporation, (a) officers are entitled to mandatory
          indemnification  under Section  13.1-698 and  to apply  for court
          ordered  indemnification  under Section  13.1-700.1  to the  same
          extent  as a director, and  (b) that a  corporation may indemnify
          and advance expenses to an officer, employee or agent to the same
          extent  as to  a director.   Section  13.1-704 provides  that any
          corporation shall have the power to make any further indemnity to
          any director, officer,  employee or agent that  may be authorized
          by  the  articles  of incorporation  or  any  bylaw  made by  the
          stockholders  or  any resolution  adopted,  before  or after  the
          event, by  the stockholders, except an  indemnity against willful
          misconduct or a knowing violation of criminal law.

               The  above is a general summary of certain provisions of the
          Company's Bylaws and  the Code of Virginia and is  subject in all
          respects to the specific and detailed provisions of the Company's
          Bylaws and the Code of Virginia.

               Reference is made to  the Selling Agency Agreement  filed as
          Exhibit 1(a)  hereto and to  the Underwriting Agreement  filed as
          Exhibit  1(b) hereto,  which provide  for indemnification  of the
          Company,  certain of its directors  and officers, and persons who
          control the Company, under certain circumstances.

               The   Company  maintains  insurance  policies  insuring  its
          directors and  officers against  certain obligations that  may be
          incurred by them.

          Item 16.  Exhibits.

               Reference  is  made  to  the information  contained  in  the
          Exhibit Index filed as part of this Registration Statement.

          Item 17.  Undertakings.

               The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

               (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
          being  made, a  post-effective  amendment  to  this  registration
          statement:

                    (i)   To  include  any prospectus  required by  section
               10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                    (ii) To reflect  in the prospectus any  facts or events
               arising  after   the  effective  date  of  the  registration
               statement  (or  the  most  recent  post-effective  amendment
               thereof) which, individually or  in the aggregate, represent
               a fundamental  change in  the information  set forth in  the
               registration statement.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
               increase  or decrease in  volume of Debt  Securities (if the
               total dollar value of Debt Securities would not exceed  that
               which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high
               end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected
               in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant
               to Rule  424(b) of  the Securities Act  of 1933  if, in  the
               aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
               than a 20%  change in the  maximum aggregate offering  price
               set forth in the "Calculation  of Registration Fee" table in
               the effective registration statement;

                    (iii) To include any  material information with respect
               to the plan of distribution  not previously disclosed in the
               registration  statement  or  any  material  change  to  such
               information in the registration statement;

               Provided, however, that  (i) and  (ii) do not  apply if  the
          registration  statement is  on  Form S-3  or  Form S-8,  and  the
          information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
          by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the
          registrant  pursuant to  section  13  or  section  15(d)  of  the
          Securities  Exchange  Act  of   1934  that  are  incorporated  by
          reference in the registration statement.

               (2)  That, for  the  purpose of  determining  any  liability
          under  the  Securities  Act  of 1933,  each  such  post-effective
          amendment  shall be  deemed to  be a  new registration  statement
          relating to the securities offered  therein, and the offering  of
          such securities  at that time shall  be deemed to  be the initial
          bona fide offering thereof.

               (3)  To  remove  from  registration  by  means  of  a  post-
          effective amendment any of  the securities being registered which
          remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

               (4)  That, for purposes  of determining any  liability under
          the Securities  Act  of 1933,  each  filing of  the  registrant's
          annual report pursuant to  section 13(a) or section 15(d)  of the
          Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference
          in  the  registration  statement shall  be  deemed  to  be a  new
          registration statement  relating to the Debt  Securities, and the
          offering thereof at that time  shall be deemed to be the  initial
          bona fide offering thereof.

               (5)  Insofar  as  indemnification  for  liabilities  arising
          under the Securities Act  of 1933 may be permitted  to directors,
          officers and  controlling persons  of the registrant  pursuant to
          the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the registrant's Bylaws
          or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion
          of  the  SEC such  indemnification  is against  public  policy as
          expressed in said Act  and is, therefore, unenforceable.   In the
          event that  a claim for indemnification  against such liabilities
          (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
          paid  by  a  director,  officer  or  controlling  person  of  the
          registrant in  the  successful defense  of  any action,  suit  or
          proceeding) is asserted by  such director, officer or controlling
          person  in connection  with the  Debt Securities,  the registrant
          will, unless in  the opinion of its  counsel the matter has  been
          settled  by   controlling  precedent,   submit  to  a   court  of
          appropriate    jurisdiction    the    question    whether    such
          indemnification  by it is  against public policy  as expressed in
          said  Act and will be governed by  the final adjudication of such
          issue.


                                      SIGNATURES

               Pursuant to the requirements of the  Securities Act of 1933,
          the registrant certifies that it has reasonable cause  to believe
          that it  meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and
          has duly caused this  registration statement to be signed  on its
          behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
          of Columbus and State of Ohio, on the 20th day of February, 1996.

                                        APPALACHIAN POWER COMPANY

                                        E. Linn Draper, Jr.*
                                        Chairman of the Board and
                                           Chief Executive Officer


               Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities  Act of 1933,
          this  registration  statement  has   been  signed  below  by  the
          following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


                    Signature                 Title                  Date

          (i) Principal Executive 
                Officer              Chairman of the Board
                                     and Chief Executive
              E. Linn Draper, Jr.*         Officer        February 20, 1996

          (ii) Principal Financial
                 Officer:

               G. P. Maloney*          Vice President     February 20, 1996

          (iii) Principal Accounting 
                  Officer:

               P. J. DeMaria*          Controller         February 20, 1996

          (iv) A Majority of the 
                 Directors:

               P. J. DeMaria*
               E. Linn Draper, Jr.*
               H. W. Fayne*
               Wm. J. Lhota*
               G. P. Maloney*
               James J. Markowsky*
               J. H. Vipperman*                           February 20, 1996

          *By_/s/ A. A. Pena_____
          (A. A. Pena, Attorney-in-Fact)



                                    EXHIBIT INDEX

               Certain  of  the  following  exhibits,  designated  with  an
          asterisk (*), are filed herewith.  The exhibits not so designated
          have heretofore been  filed with the Commission and,  pursuant to
          17  C.F.R. Sec. 201.24 and  Sec. 230.411, are incorporated herein
          by  reference   to   the  documents   indicated   following   the
          descriptions of such exhibits.

          Exhibit No.                    Description

          * 1(a)    -    Copy of proposed form of  Selling Agency Agreement
                         for the Debt Securities.

          * 1(b)    -    Copy  of proposed  form of  Underwriting Agreement
                         for the Debt Securities.

            4(a)    -    Copy of Mortgage  and Deed of  Trust, dated as  of
                         December 1, 1940, between the  Company and Bankers
                         Trust Company and R. Gregory Page, as Trustees, as
                         amended  and supplemented  [Registration Statement
                         No. 2-7289, Exhibit  7(b); Registration  Statement
                         No. 2-19884, Exhibit 2(1);  Registration Statement
                         No.2-24453,  Exhibit 2(n);  Registration Statement
                         No. 2-60015, Exhibits  2(b)(2), 2(b)(3),  2(b)(4),
                         2(b)(5),   2(b)(6),  2(b)(7),   2(b)(8),  2(b)(9),
                         2(b)(10), 2(b)(12),  2(b)(14), 2(b)(15), 2(b)(16),
                         2(b)(17), 2(b)(18),  2(b)(19), 2(b)(20), 2(b)(21),
                         2(b)(22), 2(b)(23),  2(b)(24), 2(b)(25), 2(b)(26),
                         2(b)(27) and 2(b)(28); Registration  Statement No.
                         2-64102, Exhibit  2(b)(29); Registration Statement
                         No.  2-66457,  Exhibits  2(b)(30)   and  2(b)(31);
                         Registration   Statement   No.  2-69217,   Exhibit
                         2(b)(32);  Registration   Statement  No.  2-86237,
                         Exhibit 4(b); Registration Statement No. 33-11723,
                         Exhibit 4(b); Registration Statement No. 33-17003,
                         Exhibit 4(a)(ii); Registration  Statement No.  33-
                         30964,  Exhibit  4(b); Registration  Statement No.
                         33-40720, Exhibit 4(b); Registration Statement No.
                         33-45219, Exhibit 4(b); Registration Statement No.
                         33-50112,  Exhibits  4(b)  and 4(c);  Registration
                         Statement No. 33-53410, Exhibit 4(b); Registration
                         Statement No. 33-59834, Exhibit 4(b); Registration
                         Statement  No. 33-50229,  Exhibits 4(b)  and 4(c);
                         Registration  Statement   No.  33-58431,  Exhibits
                         4(b), 4(c), 4(d) and 4(e)].

          * 4(b)    -    Copy of Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1,
                         1995,  between  the   Company  and  Bankers  Trust
                         Company, providing for the issuance of $50,000,000
                         principal  amount of  First Mortgage  Bonds, 8.00%
                         Series due June 1, 2025.

          * 4(c)    -    Copy  of Supplemental Indenture,  dated as of June
                         1,  1995, between  the Company  and Bankers  Trust
                         Company, providing for the issuance of $30,000,000
                         principal  amount of  First Mortgage  Bonds, 6.89%
                         Series due June 22, 2005.

          * 4(d)    -    Copy of form of proposed Supplemental Indenture to
                         be  entered into between  the Company  and Bankers
                         Trust Company, as Trustee, for the New Bonds.

          * 4(e)    -    Copy of  form of proposed Indenture  to be entered
                         into   between  the  Company   and  Bankers  Trust
                         Company, as Trustee, for the Notes.

          * 4(f)    -    Copy of form of proposed Supplemental Indenture to
                         be entered  into between  the Company  and Bankers
                         Trust Company, as Trustee, for the Notes.

          * 5       -    Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett with respect
                         to the Debt Securities.

           12       -    Statement  re  Computations  of Ratios  [Quarterly
                         Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for  the period
                         ended September 30, 1995, File No. 1-3457, Exhibit
                         12].

          *23(a)    -    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

           23(b)    -    Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (included in
                         Exhibit 5 filed herewith).

          *23(c)    -    Consent of Hunton & Williams.

          *23(d)    -    Consent of Robinson & McElwee.

          *23(e)    -    Consent of Hunter, Smith & Davis.

          *24       -    Powers of Attorney and resolutions of the Board of
                         Directors of the Company.

          *25(a)    -    Form T-1 re eligibility  of Bankers Trust  Company
                         to  act  as  Trustee  under  the   First  Mortgage
                         Indenture.

          *25(b)    -    Form T-1  re eligibility of Bankers  Trust Company
                         to act as Trustee under the Note Indenture.