EXHIBIT 24.15
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned,  as Controller of West Texas Utilities Company (the "Company"),
hereby makes,  constitutes  and appoints  Floyd W. Nickerson his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power and authority to execute in the name
and on behalf  of the  undersigned,  in any and all  capacities,  the  Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1996 and any and all  amendments  thereto,  to be
filed under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended,  and any other
documents and  instruments  incidental  thereto,  and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities
and Exchange Commission,  hereby granting to such  attorney-in-fact,  and agent,
full power and authority of substitution and revocation in the premises and full
power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary  to be done in and about the  premises,  as fully for all  intents and
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person and hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such  attorney-in-fact and agent, may do or cause to be done
by virtue of this Power of Attorney.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto  executed this Power of Attorney this 28th
day of January, 1997.


                                                     R. Russell Davis
                                                     Controller





Subscribed and sworn to before me this 28th day of January, 1997 by R. Russell
Davis.

                                                     Kit Hill
                                                     Notary Public

My Commission Expires:
6-14-97