Southern Company announced today it has been selected to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy in its new national Energy $mart School program. Energy $mart Schools is a public/private partnership designed to cut energy bills in schools and reinvest the savings for children and their education. Numerous companies and federal, state, and local organizations have already signed on with the partnership, which began in October of 1998.

Recently, Southern Company—through its subsidiary, Southern Company Energy Solutions—implemented Energy Conservation Projects in school systems around Georgia to enhance energy environments and help school systems save money on their existing budgets.

Southern Company Energy Solutions will work with schools to improve the efficiency upgrades by modernizing the lighting and upgrading the heating and air conditioning systems.

“We are proud to be one of the first energy companies participating in this national partnership. Southern Company is committed to expanding the use of clean energy technologies and helping schools use energy in the most efficient manner,” said Southern Company Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer A.W. Dahlberg.

At a press conference held at Southface Energy Institute, U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson said, “As an Energy $mart Schools partner, Southern Company will help children have a more productive, healthier learning environment.”

Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is an international energy company with $35 billion in assets through regional utilities and operations around the world. It is the largest producer of electricity in the United States and one of the world’s largest independent power producers. Based in Atlanta, Southern Company is the parent firm of Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power, Mississippi Power and Savannah Electric. Through its Southern Energy Inc. subsidiary, Southern Company supplies electricity in 10 countries on four continents. It also provides energy-related marketing, trading and technical services and Southern LINC wireless telecommunications.

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