The Southern Company

Overall Transparency Score: 61 (Aligned)

Direct Lobbying Transparency

Area	Transparency	Score
Direct Policy Lobbying	Southern Company has clearly specified the policies being lobbied, including energy efficiency, electric transportation, clean energy generation incentives, clean energy standards, clean energy payment programs, RDD&D, clean energy tax incentives, infrastructure, and regulation of methane emissions.	62
Lobbying Mechanism	Southern Company has disclosed both the specific lobbying mechanisms (direct and indirect engagement through trades, open communication, and constructive dialogue) and the target entities (policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders at various levels, including federal, state, and local).	65
Policy Outcomes Sought	Southern Company has outlined the government policy outcomes it aims to achieve through its lobbying efforts, including developing and deploying low- and carbon-free energy resources, achieving GHG emission reductions, supporting clean energy generation, and promoting energy efficiency.	65

Trade Association Lobbying Transparency

Area	Transparency	Score
Trade Association Influence	Southern Company has provided some detail on how they are trying to influence the policy of the trade association, including promoting their current position and engaging in discussions around their alignment with the Paris Agreement.	91
Trade Association lobbying consistency	Southern Company has described its broad consistency with the trade associations' policy lobbying positions and has provided specific details on its consistency with at least one trade association's lobbying position, such as the Alliance for Transportation Electrification and the American Biogas Council.	77
Trade Association policy lobbying	Southern Company has disclosed the trade associations they are part of and detailed at least one of the trade associations' lobbying positions. They have also disclosed at least one policy or legislative outcome the trade association sought to influence, such as the acceleration of transportation electrification nationwide and the promotion of electric vehicles as part of the clean energy transition.	70

Lobbying Governance

Area	Transparency	Score
No Lobbying Governance Disclosed	The company has not disclosed a lobbying governance process. The evidence provided only describes the importance of engagement with policymakers and the general areas of engagement, without detailing any governance process or alignment mechanisms.	0

Disclosure Inconsistencies

Category	Public Statement Inconsistency