Legislative and Regulatory Participation

Southern Company participates in the legislative and regulatory process, especially related to proposed laws or rules that impact our customers and shareholders. We work closely with both national and state leaders.

Southern Company maintains an office and staff in Washington, D.C., to interact with Congress and with agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and the Environmental Protection Agency. We use outside firms to assist our efforts, and we support a number of trade organizations that engage in lobbying activities as well. The total expense associated with operating our federal affairs program is approximately $10 million annually. We also work with state and local legislators and policymakers.

Southern Company sponsors Political Action Committees that make contributions to candidates for public office using funds voluntarily donated by employees. For the 2004 election, the total amount of voluntary contributions from employees to Political Action Committees was $1,242,028. The total amount given to federal candidates from company Political Action Committees was slightly more than $983,500. This money was contributed to various Republican and Democratic candidates, other Political Action Committees, and political organizations such as the Republican and Democratic national committees. Information on Political Action Committee federal contributions is publicly available through the Federal Elections Commission.

In addition, we participate in or serve on industry groups and committees such as the Utility Air Regulatory Group, the Utility Water Act Group, the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group, and several committees sponsored by the Edison Electric Institute.