BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - May 8, 2007 - Southern Company announced today that it intends to sell to Duke Energy its 500-megawatt share in the proposed William States Lee III nuclear power project in Cherokee County, S.C.
Southern Company remains fully committed to nuclear development and exploring energy options that are in its customers’ best interest, including its focus on the proposed new units at Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, Ga. However, after a thorough evaluation of its involvement in the Williams States Lee project, the company has made the decision to sell its share at this time. The agreement between the two utilities includes provisions for either company to discontinue its involvement at certain points throughout the project. Duke Energy indicated it intends to purchase Southern Company’s share pending approval of its board of directors later this week.
“Energy needs are steadily increasing in the Southeast, and we intend to be on the forefront of exploring nuclear energy as an option to meet the rising demand for electricity,” said Barnie Beasley, president and CEO of Southern Nuclear, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company. “We will continue to participate in a variety of nuclear development options and evaluate what will be best for our customers, including our evaluation of potentially building two new units at Plant Vogtle.”
Southern Company has filed with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for an Early Site Permit to preserve the option to build two additional units at the Vogtle site near Waynesboro, Ga., and plans to submit in 2008 an application for a Combined Construction and Operating License (COL) for the potential two new units.
“Duke is a well-respected nuclear operator, and we have maintained a positive relationship with them throughout this association,” said Buzz Miller, senior vice president of nuclear development, Southern Nuclear. “The William S. Lee site continues to be a viable project, and we wish Duke much success as they work to evaluate the site for potential development.”
Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company, operates the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant near Baxley, Ga., the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan, Ala., and the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant near Waynesboro, Ga.
About Southern Company:
With 4.3 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast, one of America’s fastest-growing regions. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are significantly below the national average. Southern Company has been listed the top ranking U.S. electric service provider in customer satisfaction for seven consecutive years by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Visit our Web site at www.southerncompany.com.