Southern Stock Price, News & Analysis

Southern Company Gas announces the appointment of Robert Duvall as president of Virginia Natural Gas, effective Sept. 4, succeeding Jim Kibler who is retiring. Kibler will advise the company until year-end. Under Kibler's leadership, the company reduced methane emissions by 50% while expanding operations. Duvall returns with experience in customer operations and has previously led initiatives that earned high customer service ratings. The company aims to deliver safe and affordable fuel while committing to environmental goals.

Georgia Power has introduced a new "Pay by Day" rate plan, allowing residential customers to manage their energy payments with a fixed daily price for electricity for one year. This prepaid service helps customers avoid price fluctuations during extreme weather. Customers can sign up by calling 1-800-642-4590 and can contribute funds online or at authorized locations. Additionally, 25% of payments from customers with past-due balances will be applied to outstanding amounts, with no late fees if paid by April 2021. This plan follows a pilot program approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission.

Georgia Power has appointed Jill Campbell to its board of directors, effective August 19, 2020. Campbell, currently the executive vice president and chief people and operations officer for Cox Enterprises, brings extensive leadership experience managing over 55,000 employees. Her past roles include overseeing operations at Cox Communications. Paul Bowers, CEO of Georgia Power, noted that Campbell's corporate strategy expertise will enhance the company's efforts toward a sustainable energy future. Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO).

Georgia Power encourages customers to take advantage of energy efficiency programs to save on summer electric bills. Simple measures, such as setting thermostats to 78 degrees and replacing inefficient appliances, can lead to significant savings. The company estimates that residential customers saved approximately $300 million over the past five years through these initiatives. Additionally, the Georgia PSC approved a 17.2% reduction in fuel rates and a $51.5 million credit for residential customers, offering further financial relief this summer.

Georgia Power encourages customers to adopt energy efficiency measures to save on summer electric bills. Over the past five years, participating customers have saved approximately $300 million through various programs approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission. The Home Energy Improvement Program (HEIP) offers rebates of up to $600 annually for energy upgrades, while customers can also benefit from LED lighting and programmable Smart Thermostats. Various assistance programs are available for low-income households, including senior citizen discounts.

Georgia Power and Georgia 811 are collaborating to promote safety on National 811 Day (August 11) by urging customers to call 811 before digging. This initiative helps prevent dangerous accidents and power outages caused by unmarked underground utilities. The company emphasizes compliance with the Georgia Dig Law, which mandates contacting Georgia 811 for utility line marking. Customers can make location requests at no cost, with professionals dispatched to mark lines. This effort underscores Georgia Power's commitment to safety and public awareness.

Cox Automotive Mobility's Pivet Atlanta facility has partnered with Georgia Power and ChargePoint to complete a major electric vehicle (EV) charging installation, marking one of the largest in the Southeast. The facility now features 20 Level 2 fleet chargers and a combination of DC Fast Chargers to support fleet electrification, including Lyft programs. This project addresses the charging gaps in South Metro Atlanta, aiming to facilitate a transition to zero-emission vehicles. Built with future EV expansion in mind, the infrastructure will help analyze charging needs, enhancing efficiency and supporting the electrified fleet future.

Atlanta Gas Light has launched the Do Your Part campaign to promote safe digging practices by encouraging the public and contractors to call 811 before any excavation. Every three minutes, a utility line is damaged during digging, often due to a lack of proper notification. Between April 1 and July 16, 245 projects occurred without 811 calls, with 173 from construction companies. The campaign includes digital ads and public artwork across Atlanta to raise awareness, aiming to prevent damages that can disrupt services and incur costs.

Atlanta Gas Light is allocating $1 million for low-income energy assistance to help customers pay natural gas bills and improve appliance efficiency. The funding targets agencies like United Way, St. Vincent de Paul, H.E.A.T., and Project SHARE of the Salvation Army, enhancing their ability to support families in need. This initiative aims to expand outreach during the pandemic while ensuring service continuity despite the Georgia Public Service Commission's approval for resuming service disconnections for nonpayment. This funding is critical for maintaining services for over 1.6 million customers.