POWERGRAMS

PowerGrams Summer 2024

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CLEAN ENERGY Nicole Faulk, senior vice president of Occupational and Environmental Affairs, joined Jimmy Young, then-Strategy and Customer Programs manager, to represent the four Clean Energy-focused priority groups and touch on some of their many successes. The new CE 101 Propel course, Learning Source courses and the exploration of potential solar sites made possible through the extension of the Renewable Generation Certificate are among major accomplishments. ELECTRIC VEHICLES Houston Smith, vice president of Governmental Affairs, and Hasin Gandhakwala, Electric Transportation manager, provided their team's progress, noting broad participation in the Make Ready program, which provides EV infrastructure to customers' facilities. Gandhakwala touted Birmingham City Schools' successful completion of the Clean School Bus grant program, including nearly $5.9M to provide electric school buses for the children in their community. Mike Oatridge, executive director of Alabama Mobility and Power (AMP) Center, joined in to discuss how the center is placing Alabama at the forefront of research and development of EV infrastructure, manufacturing and maintenance. AMP is a collaborative initiative with Alabama Power, the University of Alabama and Mercedes- Benz U.S. International, Inc. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT John Smola, director of Business Transformation and Administration, and Angie Noel, director of Shorelines, Leasing and Sales, shared recent, big successes from their team's efforts to attract new industries and expand existing relationships. Collaborative efforts with internal teams, the state and other external partners create opportunities for prospects while supporting Alabama Power's mission to help local communities and customers become more efficient, resilient and sustainable. Greg Barker, president of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, joined Smola and Noel in discussing the strength of Alabama Power's longstanding commitment to serve the state by developing innovative solutions to attract and retain industries. CONNECTIVITY AND FIBER Arnab Ghosal, vice president of Grid Transformation and Connectivity, and Christian Patel, team leader, updated attendees on the progress of the four-pillar Connectivity and Fiber strategy: reliability, savings, revenue and development. Fiber is significantly strengthening the electrical grid, having prevented 360M minutes of customer interruption last year. Gary Smith, CEO of PowerSouth, joined Ghosal and Patel to discuss PowerSouth's history of collaboration with Alabama Power, particularly with the statewide fiber network. By the end of 2026, the network will encompass 2,000 miles of fiber, supporting rural broadband, telehealth, education and more. The impact is significant: Alabama's broadband ranking has moved from 47th to 24th in only two years. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Jerry Grissom, vice president of Labor Relations and Workforce Development, and Mike Jordan, Southern Division area manager, detailed their team's work to meet the company's internal workforce needs, help develop the workforce for industry partners and boost workforce development infrastructure for the state. This group is working to make lives better for Alabamians while strengthening the state's businesses and economy. One recent success includes the line worker training program developed in conjunction with the Alabama Community College System, which has graduated 300 students at a 98% job placement rate upon graduation. Attendees viewed a video message from Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who thanked Alabama Power and stressed the importance of continued collaboration. Peoples serves on the Lieutenant Governor's Commission on 21st Century Workforce, which was developed to improve and modernize workforce competitiveness. By Dana McGough 2 2 future. Feagin addressed challenges the company and the Southern Company system face. Layman) CFO Feagin addressed challenges the company and the Southern Company system face. Peoples chairs the Executive Committee of the Alabama Workforce Board recently created by Gov. Kay Ivey. (Billy Brown)

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