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The Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a prominent American gas and electric utility holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with executive offices in Birmingham, Alabama. As of 2021, it ranks as the second-largest utility company in the U.S. by customer base, serving around 9 million customers. The company's operational footprint spans vertically integrated electric utilities in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, and natural gas distribution utilities in four states. This robust infrastructure includes 50 gigawatts of rate-regulated generating capacity, primarily designated for customer service in these states. Moreover, its subsidiary Southern Power owns 13 gigawatts of natural gas generation and renewable energy facilities across the U.S., selling electricity primarily through long-term contracts.
Southern Company’s commitment to innovation is highlighted by several recent initiatives. Notably, it reported significant financial achievements for 2023, with fourth-quarter earnings of $855 million, or 78 cents per share, compared to a loss in the same period in 2022. The company also completed Plant Vogtle Unit 3, the first new nuclear unit in the U.S. in over three decades, and recently announced that Plant Vogtle Unit 4 has achieved commercial operation, solidifying its position as a leader in clean energy production.
In terms of sustainability, Southern Company is heavily investing in renewable energy projects. The South Cheyenne Solar Facility in Wyoming, the company's 30th solar facility, recently became operational, adding to Southern Power's solar portfolio, which now exceeds 2,740 MW. The company also envisions a significant expansion of its solar and renewable capacity, aiming to reach approximately 20,000 MW by 2030 as part of its net zero greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050.
Southern Company is also deeply involved in innovative community projects. For instance, Nicor Gas, a subsidiary of Southern Company Gas, recently launched Smart Neighborhoods™ in Aurora, Illinois, emphasizing affordable net-zero energy communities. Furthermore, the company has partnered with WeaveGrid to promote electric vehicle (EV) adoption by introducing programs that simplify home charging and offer utility incentives in Alabama and Georgia.
The company's dedication to community and diversity extends to initiatives like the UNDERRATED Golf Tour, aiming to provide opportunities to aspiring golfers from underrepresented backgrounds. Southern Company’s commitment to integrity, excellence, and respect is mirrored in its partnership with this tour, underlining its broader mission to foster inclusion within the communities it serves.
Southern Company’s corporate culture and hiring practices have earned national recognition from Forbes, The Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, and the Human Rights Campaign, showcasing the company's focus on excellence and innovation. Through ongoing investments in clean energy, smart technologies, and community development, Southern Company continues to transform energy into economic, environmental, and social progress for a sustainable future.
Southern Company achieved significant milestones in 2024, notably completing the Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion project in April - the first new nuclear reactors in the US in over 30 years, making it the nation's largest clean energy generator. The company faced challenges with Hurricane Helene, described as the most destructive storm in Georgia Power's history, which damaged over 1,500 miles of power lines. The response involved 20,000 personnel working on power restoration and infrastructure rebuilding. The company was recognized as the No. 1 most-admired electric and gas utility by Fortune magazine in 2024, highlighting the service of its 28,000 employees.
Georgia Natural Gas® (GNG) has announced that the Fox Theatre and City of Refuge have joined its Greener Life® for Business program, an initiative designed to help businesses reduce their environmental impact through carbon emission offsetting. The announcement was made during the 'Merry Mighty Mo and More' event at the Fox Theatre.
The program helps institutions offset carbon emissions from their natural gas usage through certified carbon offset projects. Over the past five years, GNG's Greener Life program has enabled thousands of residential and commercial customers to offset more than a half-billion pounds of carbon emissions.
The Fox Theatre, a 4,665-seat venue hosting over 150 performances annually, and City of Refuge, a social transformation organization serving over 35,000 people, will now benefit from this sustainability initiative while maintaining their existing partnership with GNG for natural gas services.
Southern Company and the ANNIKA Foundation have announced the ANNIKA 20 program, a new initiative to support emerging women professional golfers. The program will recognize the top 20 athletes based on the 2025 Callaway Race to Qualifying points standings, providing them with LPGA Qualifying Series scholarships that cover the full qualifying fees ($5,500 per player).
The initiative is part of a strategic partnership between legendary golfer Annika Sörenstam's foundation and the ANNIKA Women's All Pro Tour (WAPT). The 2025 ANNIKA WAPT season will feature 13 events, starting with the Coca-Cola Open in Alexandria, La. (April 2-5) and concluding at the Heritage Classic in Wichita, Kan. (September 3-6).
Southern Company and Ford Pro have launched a 6-month pilot program involving over 200 F-150 Lightning trucks and 150+ chargers to explore EV fleet optimization and grid enhancement. The program aims to test how dynamic rates and demand response capabilities can balance energy loads and improve grid operations.
The collaboration will utilize Ford Pro's VG1 charging software and connected vehicle data to develop a scalable model for efficient fleet EV adoption. The pilot focuses on understanding charging behavior, automating schedules to minimize electricity costs, and reducing grid strain. Key objectives include addressing technical and commercial challenges, improving fleet management, and enhancing cost-effectiveness for both fleet operations and grid efficiency.
Four major companies - BayPort Foundation, Ferguson, Newport News Shipbuilding, and Virginia Natural Gas - have awarded a $500,000 ACT Grant to the Newport News Education Foundation to support the Newport News Public Schools New Teacher Institute (NTI) program. The three-year step-down grant will help build a workforce pipeline by expanding first and second-year teacher programs, providing credentialing assistance, and investing in Career and Technical Education and ESL teachers.
The grant aims to ensure continued support for the NTI program as ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds expire. The recipient was selected from 21 nonprofit applicants based on their ability to address specific needs, financial investment soundness, and innovative project sustainability.
Georgia Power has elected Virgil R. Miller to its board of directors, effective January 1, 2025. Miller currently serves as President of Aflac Incorporated and Aflac U.S., where he oversees business growth, digital capabilities, and product development. With over 30 years of industry experience and a 20-year tenure at Aflac, Miller brings expertise in customer-centric strategies and operational management. He has held various leadership positions at Aflac and received multiple business honors. Miller is a U.S. Marine veteran with extensive educational background and serves on several prestigious boards including AHIP, LIMRA LOMA Global, and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
Southern Power announced the Phase III expansion of its Millers Branch Solar Facility in Haskell County, Texas, adding 132-megawatts (MW) to the previous Phase I (200 MW) and Phase II (180 MW) expansions. This final development will bring the facility's total generating capacity to 512 MW, making it Southern Power's largest solar facility. The company signed power purchase agreements with Synopsys and Keysight Technologies for environmental attributes. Phase III is expected to achieve commercial operation in Q4 2026. With this addition, Southern Power's solar portfolio will exceed 3,050 MW, part of its 5,590 MW renewable fleet consisting of 30 solar and 15 wind facilities.
Southern Company has achieved the 2025 Military Friendly® Employer designation, marking its position as one of only 12 organizations to receive this recognition for at least 18 out of 22 years. The designation was determined through a comprehensive evaluation process by VIQTORY, considering factors such as recruitment, retention, turnover, and advancement opportunities for veterans and military employees.
According to Kayla Lopez, Sr Director of Partnerships at Military Friendly®, the designation recognizes organizations that have made significant investments in initiatives benefiting service members, military spouses, and veterans. Southern Company will be featured in the winter issue of G.I. Jobs® magazine and on MilitaryFriendly.com.
ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, and North Shore Gas have joined the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Chicago and Northern Illinois to warn customers about increased utility scams during the holiday season. Scammers are using new tactics, including QR codes, mobile banking apps, and posing as bill-management companies. They often threaten service disconnection and demand immediate payments. The companies emphasize that they never use aggressive tactics, demand immediate payment, or request personal information like Social Security numbers. Customers are advised to verify representative identities and contact utilities through official channels if suspicious.
Southern Company and its subsidiaries reported significant community engagement in 2023, with employees contributing over 150,000 volunteer hours. The company's philanthropic initiatives included supporting Jones Valley Teaching Farm (JVTF) through the Alabama Power Foundation. JVTF's impact during the 2022-2023 academic year included reaching 5,141 students, employing six paid apprentices, distributing 19,435 pounds of free produce, and growing 74,796 seedlings across eight teaching farms in Birmingham, with seven located at Birmingham City Schools campuses.
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