One hundred years ago, a Gadsden steamboat captain had an extraordinary vision: to tap the power of Alabama’s rivers so that citizens could enjoy a better life through the miracle of electricity.

 

 

This year, Alabama Power is proud to observe its centennial with a number of special events.  Among them is an exhibit of historical images and artifacts that has been traveling across the state during 2006. The exhibit will open in West Alabama on Monday, Aug. 21 at Harrison Galleries in downtown Tuscaloosa.  The exhibit highlights the company’s important ties to Alabama’s growth and development, and to its people, during the 20^th century.  The exhibit will remain on display to the public through Sept. 22.   

Alabama Power’s centennial offers a variety of opportunities for local media to explore the company’s interesting history and its ongoing efforts to support and strengthen Alabama communities through economic development, environmental stewardship, volunteer service and charitable giving.

In conjunction with the centennial exhibit, Alabama Power is sponsoring an art contest open to fourth grade students within its 14 county service territory in West Alabama.  The winning entries will be selected by the local schools and offered for display at the Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa Sept. 14-30. The creative art contest will focus on the theme, “What electricity means to me.”

Information about Alabama Power’s historical links to local communities and supporting materials, such as archival photographs, are available. In addition, media can schedule visits to the company’s historic facilities.   For details, please call Alabama Power’s Media Inquiry Line at (205) 257-4155.
NOTE: A timeline of important dates in company history follows this news release.

 

ALABAMA POWER TIMELINE

1906
Alabama Power was founded by Gadsden steamboat captain William Patrick Lay, his son Earl and their attorney, Oliver Hood.

1912

Massachusetts engineer James Mitchell purchased Alabama Power and consolidated it with several other companies with rights to build hydroelectric dams along Alabama Rivers.   Montgomery attorney Thomas Martin joined the company and became a pivotal figure in its development.
1913

Alabama Power became an operating company when it took over the property and business of Alabama Power Development Company, which owned transmission and distribution lines, a dam at Jackson Shoals and an uncompleted steam plant in Gadsden.

1914

The first generating unit at the Coosa River dam near Lock 12, later named Lay Dam, began commercial operation.

1917

The first unit of Gorgas Steam Plant in Walker County was completed.

1918

The company deeded its dam site on the Tennessee River at Muscle Shoals to the federal government for $1. The government wanted the site to build a dam to furnish power to nitrate plants for munitions needed for World War I. The war ended before the dam could be completed, but Alabama Power was not able to repurchase the site that later became the basis for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

1920

Involved in economic development since 1913, Alabama Power created its New Industries department, believed to be the first such utility-based operation of its kind in the country. The forerunner of the company’s Economic and Community Development department, it focused on recruiting business to the state.

1922

Alabama Power's WSY brought radio to the state. WSY was the first radio station in Alabama. It provided a variety of programs, including live music played by employees. In 1923, the equipment was given to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University. The station, WAPI in Birmingham, is still on the air.

1924

Construction began on the company's new Corporate Headquarters in Birmingham.

1933

The TVA was created by an act of Congress. By 1940, TVA had taken control of Alabama Power’s second dam site on the Tennessee River, now the location of Wheeler Dam, while local distributors funded by the federal government took over Alabama Power's Northern Division.

1947

The federal Securities and Exchange Commission approved the organization of Southern Company as a holding company.

1949

Southern Company acquired the common stock of its four operating companies: Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Mississippi Power and Gulf Power from it predecessor, Commonwealth & Southern, which was dissolved by the federal government under the federal Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.

1952

Birmingham Electric Company formally merged with Alabama Power.

1954

The company put the Early Bird computer into operation. It was the first computer to monitor an entire generating and transmission system and to determine the most efficient use of generation. The Early Bird, named for its inventor Edward Early, was retired in 1973.

1969

The company announced it would build its first nuclear plant in Houston County. Construction began the following year.

1977

Unit 1 of Farley Nuclear Plant began commercial operation.

1982

The state Public Service Commission approved a new formula for determining electricity rates. The formula has helped keep rates stable and customers’ electricity costs well below the national average.

1991

About 2,500 employees, government officials and other guests gathered at the dedication of Plant Miller in Jefferson County – the largest plant in the Southern Company system.

1995

Alabama Power opened The Water Course educational center in Clanton. The center promotes safety, the understanding of water as an energy source and the importance of protecting the state’s water resources.

1998

Tornadoes in the Birmingham area destroyed whole neighborhoods and caused 34 deaths. Alabama Power employees were among the first on the scene, and moved swiftly to help with the restoration and relief activities. President Clinton specifically praised Alabama Power when he visited the devastated area.

1999

Alabama Power made a successful transition to the Year 2000 with no problems in the computerized systems that are critical to keeping the lights on for customers.

2002

Alabama Power completed installation of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology at Plant Gorgas in Walker County. The SCR reduces emissions of nitrogen oxide, a component of ground-level ozone.

2003
SCR technology was installed on two generating units at Plant Miller in Jefferson County. 

2004

Hurricane Ivan swept across Alabama. In just eight days, Alabama Power restored service to more than 825,000 customers.

2005

Installation of SCR technology was completed on the remaining two units at Plant Miller. Construction began on SCR technology at Plant Gaston in Shelby County and Plant Barry in Mobile County. Construction also began on the company’s first scrubber to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions at Plant Gorgas in Walker County. In all, the company expects to spend about $2 billion by 2010 on technology to improve air quality.

In late August, only a month after Hurricane Dennis battered lower Alabama and the Florida panhandle, Hurricane Katrina roared ashore, devastating New Orleans and the central Gulf coast region. Alabama Power suffered enormous damage to its infrastructure. Despite numerous challenges, 99 percent of Alabama Power customers had their electricity restored in eight days. Alabama Power crews then headed west to assist hard-hit Mississippi, while employees and the Alabama Power Foundation contributed money and resources to help evacuees.

2006

Alabama Power celebrates 100 years of serving customers and the state.