For major energy providers like Southern Company, keeping energy affordable has always been a foundational priority. When energy costs rise beyond reach, it affects customers' quality of life, disrupts business operations, and drives potential economic growth elsewhere.
Customer satisfaction has consistently guided the Atlanta-based company’s direction. While affordability is the starting point, energy must also be reliable, clean, and safe. These key components must work in unison to ensure a strong and dependable energy system that supports economic development and delivers essential services to businesses and households alike.

Southern Company has consistently positioned itself as a provider of long-term value—a strategy that has benefited both the company and its customers for over a century. Achieving this requires not only managing daily operations effectively but also maintaining strong partnerships with regulators. It's about balancing short-term investor expectations with the long-term needs of customers.

“Affordable electricity and natural gas enhance quality of life,” said Chris Womack, Chairman, President, and CEO of Southern Company. “When energy remains within reach financially, it becomes more accessible, helping to fuel economic development, business creation, job growth, and innovation.”

Energy is a fundamental driver of the economy, and Southern Company embraces its responsibility to help stimulate regional and national economic growth. The company continues to invest in advanced technologies and infrastructure to meet evolving energy needs.

Operating under a regulated utility model for more than 100 years, Southern Company has played a key role in advancing public policy and supporting economic activity. Maintaining affordable service while expanding energy capabilities depends on several critical elements:

Recent economic developments within Southern Company’s service areas highlight this role. Leading automobile manufacturers are establishing electric vehicle and battery production facilities across the Southeast. The region is also attracting data centers due to reliable energy support enabled by coordinated efforts between energy providers and policymakers. For example, Alabama Power helped bring an $800 million Meta data center and 100 jobs to Montgomery. Additionally, Mississippi Power is set to deliver 500 megawatts of energy to a new hyperscale data center campus in Meridian, Mississippi.

“The remarkable growth forecast across our service areas presents tremendous opportunities for both the company and our communities,” Womack noted. “We will continue to pursue these opportunities with innovation and collaboration, always keeping customers at the heart of our work.”

To maintain a balance of affordability, reliability, and resilience, a diverse energy generation mix is essential.

“We understand how vital energy is, and we’re committed to working with regulators to ensure customers have the energy they need to flourish,” Womack said. “We must use all available resources responsibly, keeping customer needs in mind from a cost, reliability, sustainability, and resilience perspective as we shape future energy policies.”

With an inclusive energy approach, Southern Company is expanding its energy portfolio. In addition to completing Units 3 and 4 at the Plant Vogtle nuclear facility, the company, alongside Kinder Morgan, is expanding the South System 4 pipeline through Southern Natural Gas (SNG), boosting capacity by roughly 1.2 billion cubic feet per day to meet increasing demand.

Georgia Power also recently launched its first battery storage facility—Mossy Branch Battery Facility—a 65-megawatt grid-connected energy storage system. At the same time, Southern Company continues to work with regulators to expand its renewable energy presence.

Looking to the future, Southern Company’s research and development team collaborates with national labs, government entities, universities, and industry peers to develop cutting-edge energy technologies. These R&D efforts focus on innovations that support clean, reliable, affordable, and safe energy for a rapidly evolving world. Projects include advancing hydrogen technology for transportation and industrial applications and increasing renewable natural gas use.

Affordability is not only essential for economic expansion but also critical for easing the energy cost burden on households, especially those with limited incomes.

Southern Company actively promotes energy efficiency by encouraging customers to adopt smarter energy usage habits. It also partners with nonprofits, community groups, religious organizations, and government programs to assist families facing financial challenges—ensuring equitable access to reliable energy services.

Southern Company remains committed to progress. “There’s always more we can do,” Womack stated.

By staying focused on affordability, while also prioritizing reliability and resilience, Southern Company has sustained success for over a century. Its ever-evolving vision continues to support customers’ financial well-being, serve as a powerful economic catalyst, and foster strong community relationships—both now and into the future.

The KeyBank Foundation has committed $300,000 to support a workforce training initiative by Action for a Better Community (ABC), Inc. in Rochester. The Energy Conservation Training Program equips participants with skills for careers in home weatherization, maintenance, and the installation of energy-saving measures.

“This forward-thinking program not only opens doors for workers in a growing industry but also empowers homeowners by promoting sustainable, energy-efficient, and affordable living,” stated Vince Lecce, KeyBank Rochester Market President. “We’re honored to support ABC’s efforts, which transform lives, uplift communities, and make Rochester a more vibrant place to call home.”

Jerome H. Underwood, President & CEO of ABC, Inc., highlighted the strong partnership between the two organizations: “ABC’s strategic vision emphasizes building partnerships aligned with our values and priorities. Over the years, we’ve cultivated a meaningful relationship with KeyBank and the KeyBank Foundation, whose goals align closely with ours. We deeply appreciate their investment in our Energy Conservation Program, which we believe will positively alter the lives of its participants.”

The program blends classroom instruction with hands-on field training, with all activities providing paid employment. Participants gain nationally recognized energy conservation certifications, positioning them for careers in construction trades or eco-friendly housing retrofits. This initiative also benefits homeowners by enhancing living conditions, reducing energy costs, and preserving existing housing.

Beyond individual and homeowner advantages, the program strengthens the wider community by creating jobs in participants' own neighborhoods, driving investment in economically disadvantaged areas. Since these areas often consist predominantly of communities of color, the program also promotes racial equity within Rochester.

Participants receive more than just technical training—they are supported in overcoming challenges such as housing, childcare, transportation, and other barriers to consistent employment.

“The Energy Conservation Training Program addresses two critical needs in Rochester: workforce development and sustainable homeownership,” said Chiwuike Owunwanne, KeyBank Rochester Corporate Responsibility Officer. “We commend ABC’s comprehensive approach and share their commitment to empowering low-income individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency.”

Since 2017, KeyBank has invested over $1 billion in the Rochester area, supporting affordable housing, community development, small businesses, and philanthropy aimed at transformative change.
 
Click here to know more about Keybank’s commitments to helping clients and communities thrive.