BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Dec. 19, 2007 - The Alabama Power Foundation and the Alabama Urban Forestry Association have teamed for the ninth consecutive year to award grants to local communities to purchase trees through the Community Forestry Program.
 
This year, the Community Forestry Program is providing $80,299 in grants to 85 communities and organizations throughout the state. During the past nine years, more than $480,000 has been distributed to more than 500 cities, counties, schools and community groups for tree planting.

"The planting of trees in our neighborhoods and communities serves a much broader purpose than beautification," said Cleve Formwalt, president of the Alabama Urban Forestry Association. "It makes good sound environmental sense. We are grateful to the Alabama Power Foundation for partnering with us in this statewide effort."

The Community Forestry Program is designed to encourage the planting of trees in urban and community settings. Many communities pair tree grants with federal funds that can be used for projects such as tree-planting master plans or tree inventories.

“The Alabama Power Foundation has a long tradition of supporting local efforts to enhance the quality of life in communities across the state,” said Bill Johnson, foundation president. “Planting trees in parks, schoolyards and other public places has a positive impact in a community for decades to come.”

(* Please see attached listing of tree grant recipients.)

The Alabama Power Foundation works to improve the quality of life of Alabamians and strengthen the communities in which they live. Since 1990, the foundation has provided more than $100 million in grants to worthy projects across Alabama. Details about the foundation are available at www.alabamapowerfoundation.com.

More information about the Alabama Urban Forestry Association is available at
www.aufa.com.

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO),
provides reliable, affordable electricity to more than 1.4 million customers across the state. Learn more about Alabama Power at www.alabamapower.com

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Media Contact: Michael Sznajderman, 1-205-257-4155 or msznajde@southernco.com