Southern Company statement on the Nationally Determined Contribution

We support the president’s ambitious goal for the U.S. to achieve economy-wide net zero GHG emissions by 2050. And, accelerating the pace of emissions reductions for the electric sector, as indicated in the Nationally Determined Contribution, will require strong public-private partnerships built upon support from our government partners.

As one of the first U.S. utilities to set a goal of net zero GHG operations by 2050, we are motivated by the significant progress we are making in reducing our emissions profile. In 2020, the Southern Company system achieved a 52% reduction in GHG emissions compared to 2007, exceeding by ten years our 2030 goal to reduce emissions by 50%.

We look forward to working with government leaders across the country at all levels on required policies that, among other things, encourage and advance clean energy innovation; protect the affordability, reliability and resilience of service to customers; and ensure a just and equitable transition for the communities where we live and serve.

This would include policies promoting investments in the research, development, demonstration and deployment (RDD&D) of innovative clean energy technologies such as carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) solutions; hydrogen; long-duration energy storage solutions; advanced nuclear; energy efficiency; as well as complementary tax policy and regional flexibility.

As we make meaningful shifts to decarbonize our economy, we are mindful of the impact these changes can have on our customers, communities and employees. Any policy must consider the affordability, resilience, reliability, safety, and environmental impacts of the energy we provide and recognize that we are successful only when the lives of everyone we serve are improved.

We stand ready to work will all parties to advance these objectives.