2022 CC Transition Report Spreads Flat Final - Flipbook - Page 23
Continued focus on ensuring a Just Transition
Safety, reliability, resilience and affordability
Our work to help ensure a Just Transition does not stop
at the gates of a plant or the borders of a community.
Decarbonization, fleet transition and infrastructure
decisions have far-reaching impacts. As our companies
make transformative and often capital-intensive
decisions, it is imperative that we continue to deliver safe,
reliable, resilient and affordable energy to our customers.
Safety is a core value throughout our system. We
believe the safety of our employees, customers and
communities is paramount. We will perform and
maintain every job, every day, safely. In the context
of Just Transition, safety extends to employees and
contractors tasked with decommissioning our plants, as
well as working to ensure the safety of the communities
surrounding our facilities for the long term.
We understand that having reliable energy is essential,
which is why we are at the forefront of industryleading innovation and are focused on making smart
investments to provide reliable and resilient service to
our customers. We do this by upgrading and enhancing
our infrastructure, protecting electric and natural
gas infrastructure from physical and cyberthreats,
reducing our GHG emissions, and deploying distributed
generation solutions, among other initiatives.
22
Just Transition Report
Affordability is also paramount for our customers, and
Southern Company has endeavored to keep electricity
price increases at or below the rate of inflation over
the long term. Retail electricity prices at our electric
operating companies are currently about 10% below
the national average. In addition, we are focused on
the topic of energy burden across all customers,
especially those who are income-challenged.
Maintaining affordability fosters high customer
satisfaction, financial strength and constructive
regulatory treatment. Effectively understanding and
addressing the financial priorities of our customers,
investors and regulators should help facilitate our
transition toward a net zero future.
Consistent with our ongoing commitment to those we are privileged to serve
and to making life better because we are there, Southern Company will
remain focused on supporting a Just Transition for customers, employees and
communities. We will continue to work with private and public entities for the
betterment of our employees and communities and remain committed to a
leadership role as we transition to a new energy economy.
In addition to maintaining low rates, our operating
companies provide millions of dollars in direct energy
assistance annually to customers in need. We also
offer a wide range of energy efficiency programs
designed to make efficiency upgrades more affordable.
Just Transition Report
23
