Southern Company statement regarding New York Times report on subsidiary Mississippi Power's Kemper project

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Jul 05, 2016, 04:55 ET

ATLANTA, July 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Southern Company on the July 5 New York Times article regarding the Kemper County energy facility:

Southern Company is proudly inventing America's – and the world's – energy future through the development of the world's most advanced coal plant, Mississippi Power's Kemper County energy facility. The result of decades of robust, proprietary research and development, the Kemper project has garnered enormous support from energy leaders across the U.S. and around the world. And Mississippi Power is completing the project with an unwavering focus on safety and quality.

Rather than educate readers on the worldwide benefits of this cutting-edge, first-of-its-kind facility, today's New York Times article on the Kemper project provides a negative recap of previously disclosed developments that have already been addressed.

The only element of today's story that is actually new to the public discussion is the content from the former employee's secret recordings of private conversations with current company employees. In drawing from the recordings, the Times captured specific phrases from sometimes years-old conversations – without providing appropriate context – to achieve a pre-determined objective and tone.

In an apparent attempt to deliver a pre-conceived narrative, the article also fails to mention key facts communicated to the reporter that would have clearly illustrated the company's commitment to completing the project the right way for the benefit of customers. For example, faced with challenges indicative of a first-of-its-kind project, Southern Company has taken charges totaling $2.5 billion, helping ensure the project will deliver the same value to Mississippi Power customers as initially intended.

Despite the company's unequivocal belief that the Kemper project is the right project for Mississippi, history tells us that any undertaking this large is bound to have some detractors. While we have found that the plant's supporters far outnumber its critics, we actively listen to all sides, taking questions regarding the successful completion of the project very seriously. Through our rigorous project oversight efforts – which include regular, detailed analysis by all levels of company leadership and state regulators – the company has investigated, addressed and publicly acknowledged every founded concern regarding the safe and successful completion of the project.

It is important to note that the company has previously investigated concerns raised by former employee Brett Wingo, who serves as the primary source in the article, both through its internal employee concerns process and by engaging a third party. In addition to its internal investigation, the company sought outside counsel to conduct a separate investigation of concerns he reported to further ensure the integrity and reliability of its internal investigation findings. The investigations into Wingo's concerns both reached the same conclusion – that his concerns were unsubstantiated and not otherwise supported by the facts.

The company is also aware that Wingo has raised similar concerns with the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff and that, in 2015, the staff conducted an inquiry based on those concerns. Since the time the former employee first raised his concerns internally – and, subsequently, in more public forums – the company has continued to monitor and investigate his reports. There is nothing in his initial or repeated statements which has in any way changed the company's conclusion that his concerns were unsupported.

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company, with 44,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million electric and gas utility customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

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