POWERGRAMS

2 the Elevate grant program and the foundation's 2019 annual report. "The eff ects of COVID-19 have created unprecedented challenges for the nonprofi t community," said Myla Calhoun, president of the Alabama Power Foundation. "At a time when their own needs are great, Alabama's nonprofi ts have displayed incredible resilience and courage, all while responding to relief eff orts to ensure the needs of the most vulnerable are met. "At its core, this response embodies the mission of the Alabama Power Foundation that has guided us for 30 years: to improve the quality of life for all Alabamians," she said. Alabama Power Service Organization and Energizers members have been doing their part as well, even though the pandemic limited their eff orts to provide community support. Instead of taking part in events, they have been limited to virtual volunteering. Volunteers have sewn face masks and isolation gowns; assisted with United Way 211 calls; provided meals to health care professionals at local hospitals; participated in online storytelling on Facebook and YouTube; and sent encouraging le ers and cards to hospitals and nursing homes. COMPANY BATTLES THE STORM WITHIN THE STORM Easter weekend, Alabama Power was faced with its fi rst "storm within the storm," as a line of severe weather crossed the state causing sca ered damage and power outages. The storms with heavy rains and hail spawned 24 tornadoes, aff ecting more than 312,000 customers, which made it the 12th worst storm in company history. From the moment it was safe, crews were in the fi eld working around the clock to restore service, replacing 678 poles, 317 transformers and 2,498 spans of wire. Nearly 900 workers from other states assisted in the restoration eff orts. To combat the spread of the coronavirus, crews were isolated or self-contained. Meals were distributed individually to avoid group gatherings. Outside resource workers were housed in single-occupancy hotel rooms. The core restoration-operations leadership team minimally staff ed the Alabama Power Storm Center and also operated and communicated using teleconferencing and online solutions. Less than 20 hours a er the storms moved through, crews had restored service to most customers. Within 72 hours, power was restored to every customer who could receive service. "Our entire company was focused, from before the storms began, on making sure we worked quickly and safely, using every available resource, to get the lights back on for our customers," said Kristie Barton, Power Delivery general manager. "We always hope and pray for the best, but we prepare for the worst." MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS Providing employees necessary resources and support tools to manage the pandemic both personally and professionally was a focus of the Council on Culture and Inclusion (CCI). The CCI works to foster a positive workplace culture, ensuring Alabama Power employees are valued, respected and treated fairly. During adjusted business operations, the CCI distributed its annual strategic report in coordination with National Celebrate Diversity Month. The report was mailed to employee homes in an eff ort to connect all Alabama Power employees, serving as a reminder of the team's strength and dedication. The CCI launched "Connect," an intranet site providing content and hosting virtual events about mental health, working remotely, fi nancial fi tness, physical wellness, career development and inclusion. Weekly emails and Powerlines stories, and a video series of company leaders providing business updates, were other resources providing employee support during the pandemic. "We recognize this is a challenging time for our employees," said Ashley Robine , vice president of Public Relations and a core council member. "We wanted to provide ways to connect employees and support one another through this period of adjusted operations." April also brought "Feed the Front," an initiative providing meals regularly to on-site business-critical employees. Alabama Power contracted with local restaurants and caterers, providing work for small businesses throughout the state. By mid-May, more than 2,000 on-site meals and more than 10,000 gi cards had been provided. "Feed the Front has been an opportunity to provide a small token of appreciation for our front-line employees, while supporting local restaurants, who are also our customers, struggling due to COVID-19," said Gordon Martin, senior vice president of Corporate and Administrative Services. MAKING A RESPONSIBLE REENTRY As the country continues to manage the pandemic, Alabama Power is resuming normal operations in a responsible manner. The company is commi ed to keeping Safety First at the forefront of its decisions. A Responsible Re-entry Playbook was developed, in coordination with system partners, to share with employees how operations will resume. The company continues to work with state and local leaders, as well as Alabama businesses, to develop plans. Consultation continues with medical professionals to monitor and manage the virus in the state. "As we transition, we are taking a slow and steady approach, monitoring external factors in accordance with government guidelines," said Jeff Peoples, executive vice president of Customer and Employee Services. "Through this phased reentry, we will continue to be commi ed to keeping Safety First, ensuring that our team is trained and has the necessary materials to perform their jobs as safely and eff ectively as possible." By Whitney Massey Plant Control Operator Daryl Stewart, Barry Steam Plant Team effort and experience are key elements during restoration efforts.

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