American Electric Power promises cash contribution to pension fund

American Electric Power Services Corp., Columbus, Ohio, announced it will contribute $200 million in cash to its pension fund and plans to contribute an additional $100 million per quarter in 2005. According to the most recent annual report, issued last March, the company has $3.18 billion in pension assets and is underfunded by $508 million. Steve Kiser, director of trust and investments at the plan, did not return calls.