ATLANTA, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southern Company announced today it will serve as primary host company for the CALSTART 2009 Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) Oct. 27-29 in Atlanta.

The HTUF national conference brings together leading truck manufacturers, suppliers and fleets focused on producing and using medium- and heavy-duty hybrid-electric, hybrid-hydraulic, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles for commercial and military use.

Among the notable events taking place during HTUF, there will be a "convoy" on Oct. 27 showcasing many of the latest hybrid and advanced vehicles in downtown Atlanta. This event will begin at 11 a.m. ET in front of Southern Company subsidiary Georgia Power's headquarters at 241 Ralph McGill Blvd., and wind up at the Georgia World Congress Center, site of HTUF.

Southern Company, the premier energy company serving the Southeast, is an enthusiastic supporter of hybrid/electric vehicles. Fleet organizations across the company's operating subsidiaries in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi currently have 20 hybrids in operation, including five hybrid bucket trucks, which offer quieter operations, better fuel economy and reduced emissions. The company also plans to field test 11 plug-in hybrid electric F-550 Trouble Trucks in 2011.

 In addition, Southern Company is hosting a 36-month plug-in hybrid electric vehicle demonstration in a partnership with Ford, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the U.S. Department of Energy and 10 other utilities to help develop a pre-production PHEV. The company is also conducting research into the effect of increased PHEV use on the electric grid.

"We are excited that HTUF is being held this year in our home town, and we look forward to showcase to the world the current benefits and future potential of these vehicles," said Tom Fanning, Southern Company chief operating officer.

 On Oct. 29, beginning at 8:45 a.m., will be one of the annual highlights of the national conference, the "Ride and Drive," in which 30 of the world's largest medium and heavy-duty hybrid and high-efficiency vehicles will be available to be demonstrated by HTUF attendees and media. Leading-edge hybrid-electric, hybrid-hydraulic, plug-in hybrid and electric trucks will be available, including some brand new to the market. This event takes place in the Green and Gold parking lots across from Turner Field.

 In recognition of the growing importance of hybrid vehicles, Gov. Sonny Perdue has proclaimed the week of the conference "Hybrid Truck Week" in Georgia.

The Forum is presented by CALSTART, North America's leading clean transportation technologies and solutions consortium, of which Southern Company is a member. More information on the agenda, registration and logistics can be found online at: http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=5fd3634e-acae-4f8e-aa6b-3d787484f0eb.

 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 is consistently listed among the top U.S. electric service providers in customer satisfaction by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Visit our Web site at http://www.southerncompany.com/.

SOURCE Southern Company

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080801/SOCOLOGO

SOURCE: Southern Company

Web site: http://www.southerncompany.com/