ATLANTA – Southern Company (NYSE: SO) has been recognized as the third most sustainable company in Georgia and the sixth in the Southeast for 2011.  The Southeastern Corporate Sustainability Rankings evaluate the top 300 publicly traded companies with headquarters in the South on their environmental, social and governance performance indicators.

“Today, more than ever, corporations have a responsibility for economic growth, community support, a clean environment and a plan to sustain resources for generations to come,” said Thomas A. Fanning, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company.  “At Southern Company, we take the responsibility seriously by planning for today and the future.”

Southern Company was recognized for its efforts to generate affordable and reliable electricity, reduce environmental impact, invest in its workforce and be stewards of the communities it serves. Listed are some of the factors that were considered in selecting Southern Company as a regional and state leader.

·         Leading the industry in environmental research and development, including major projects in 21^st century coal, emissions control and renewables technologies.

·         Installing more than 4 million “smart meters” by 2012 to help customers make better decisions about energy use.

·         Attracting businesses to the region, leading to an average of $7 billion in capital investment and more than 23,000 new jobs each year.

·         Contributing $23 million in 2010 to arts and culture, health and human services, civic and community projects, safety, education, and the environment.

The Southeastern Corporate Sustainability Rankings were developed by GreenBusiness Works, an organization that provides education to business and industry regarding corporate sustainability.  The complete 2011 rankings can be accessed at the following link:

With 4.4 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. 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 below the national average. Southern Company was named the World’s Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility by Fortune magazine in 2011, and is consistently listed among the top U.S. electric service providers in customer satisfaction by the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.  

 http://southeasterncorporatesustainabilityrankings.net