ATLANTA, July 9 -- The Georgia Power Board of Directors has elected Chris Bell as the company's new vice president of Energy Planning and Nuclear Development. Bell, currently vice president of Southern Wholesale Energy for Southern Company Generation, replaces Oscar Harper, who last week was named president of Southern Power.

In his new role, Bell will have responsibility for Resource Policy and Planning and Nuclear Development, as well as Market Planning, Renewable Resources, Pricing & Rates, Utility Relations and Energy Sales, Efficiency and Conservation.

"Throughout his career, Chris has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to high levels of reliability, competitively priced products, flexibility, customer service and the long-term view needed to help our business and our customers thrive," said Mickey Brown, executive vice president of Customer Service. "His experience makes him an excellent choice to push forward the efforts Oscar began to improve Georgia Power's positioning as it relates to energy efficiency and renewable offerings, to enhance customer value, and to increase national and state credibility on climate issues."

Bell joined Alabama Power in January 1984 and has 26 years of service within the Southern Company system. Bell's career began as a junior engineer in the power plant construction department. He was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility at Alabama Power and Southern Company Services in the areas of corporate planning, public relations, external and regulatory affairs, wholesale energy marketing and economic and community development prior to his current position.

Bell graduated from Auburn University in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, and earned his master's degree in business administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1990.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.