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EXHIBIT A
From:
Lila Holzman <
lholzman@asyousow.org
>
Sent:
Friday, December 6, 2019 5:31 PM
To:
Burleson, Jeffrey A. <
JABURLES@southernco.com
>; McCullough, Kelli Anne
<
KAMCCULL@SOUTHERNCO.COM
>; Hewett, Laura Oleck <
LOHEWETT@southernco.com
>
Subject:
FW: SO ‐ Southern Shareholder Resolution Filing Letters
EXTERNAL MAIL: Caution Opening Links or Files
Dear Jeff, Laura, Kelli,
I wanted to let you know that we have moved forward with filing a resolution focused on our concerns
regarding the risks of Southern’s reliance on natural gas. The Fed‐Ex will arrive tomorrow (Saturday),
which we assume is acceptable since this is the deadline in Southern’s proxy statement.
We very much appreciate the dialogues we’ve had with you and look forward to continuing. Would be
happy to schedule a call to discuss and look forward to seeing those attending Tuesday’s ICCR Utility
Roundtable, where related topics will be covered.
Best Regards,
Lila
___________________
Lila Holzman
Energy Program Manager
As You Sow
2150 Kittredge St., Suite 450
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 735-8153 (direct line) | (415) 483-9533 (cell)
lholzman@asyousow.org | www.asyousow.org
[asyousow.org]
From:
Kwan Hong Teoh
Sent:
Friday, December 6, 2019 9:43:39 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To:
Caen, Melissa K. (SCS Legal)
Cc:
Lila Holzman; Danielle Fugere; Shareholder Engagement; CORPGOV
Subject:
SO - Southern Shareholder Resolution Filing Letters
Dear Ms. Caen,
Please find enclosed filing letters submitting a shareholder proposal for inclusion in the
company’s 2020 proxy statement. A paper copy was also sent via FedEx for delivery Saturday
afternoon.
Lila Holzman, here cc‐ed, is eager to discuss the proposal in detail with your team. I am on hand
to address any questions regarding our filing and satisfy any request for additional
documentation.
Receipt confirmation of this email would be appreciated. Thank you and have a pleasant
weekend.
Best,
Kwan
Teoh, Kwan Hong
(he/him)
Environmental Health Program
Research Manager
As You Sow
2150 Kittredge St., Suite 450
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 735‐8147 (direct line) | (605) 651‐5517 (cell)
kwan@asyousow.org | www.asyousow.org
[asyousow.org]
~Building a Safe, Just and Sustainable World since 1992~
2150 Kittredge St. Suite 450
www.asyousow.org
Berkeley, CA 94704
BUILDING A SAFE, JUST, AND SUSTAINABLE WORLD SINCE 1992
VIA EMAIL & OVERNIGHT MAIL
December 6, 2019
Melissa K. Caen
Corporate Secretary
Southern Company
30 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
fax: 404-506-0344
mkcaen@southernco.com
Dear Ms. Caen,
Andrew Behar is a shareholder of Southern Company. We submit the enclosed shareholder proposal on
behalf of Andrew Behar (Proponent) for inclusion in the company’s 2020 proxy statement, and for
consideration by shareholders in accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the General Rules and Regulations of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
A letter from the Proponent authorizing
As You Sow
to act on his behalf is enclosed. A representative of
the Proponent will attend the stockholders’ meeting to move the resolution as required.
We are available to discuss this issue and are optimistic that such a discussion could result in resolution
of the Proponent’s concerns. To schedule a dialogue, please contact Lila Holzman, Energy Program
Manager at
lholzman@asyousow.org
. Please send all correspondence to Ms. Holzman
with a copy to
shareholderengagement@asyousow.org
. Also, please note that our address has changed. Our new
address is set forth above.
Sincerely,
Lila Holzman
Energy Program Manager
Enclosures
•
Shareholder Proposal
•
Shareholder Authorization
Cc:
corpgov@southerncompany.com
Whereas:
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report finding that
"rapid, far-reaching” changes are necessary in the next 10 years to avoid disastrous levels of
global warming.
1
The energy sector has a critical role to play in mitigating climate risks. Already, the sector is
undergoing a rapid transition by moving away from coal, but growing reliance on natural gas
creates ongoing risk. Natural gas is a major contributor to climate change due to methane leaks
and routine combustion emissions. In 2018, natural gas contributed to an
increase
in power
sector emissions,
2
thereby jeopardizing chances of achieving reductions in line with the Paris
Agreement’s goal of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Building new gas infrastructure may be uneconomic and result in costly stranded assets
comparable to early retirements now occurring for coal.
3
While some low-carbon scenarios
show gas use continuing, they rely on carbon removal technologies -- a risky assumption given
that the technology has yet to prove economic at scale.
4
Existing alternatives to natural gas -- such as renewables plus storage, demand response,
electrification, and energy efficiency -- are all increasingly cost-effective means of serving
energy needs while reducing fossil fuel use and climate impacts.
5
City governments, recognizing
gas’ harmful climate impacts, are setting policies prohibiting gas hookups for new buildings in
favor of safer, healthier electric buildings.
6
Furthermore, states, cities, and large consumers are
setting ambitious renewable energy targets, which utilities will need to supply or risk losing
business.
7
While Southern is to be commended for taking climate conscious steps, including setting a long
term greenhouse gas target and actions to decrease methane leakage,
8
investors lack sufficient
information to understand if or how the Company can reconcile its growing reliance on natural
gas with aligning with Paris goals.
The Company's disclosures indicate Southern is continuing to invest in expensive gas
infrastructure but is not sufficiently addressing how those costly assets and their depreciation
timelines reconcile with climate stability goals or the existence of increasingly low cost, clean
energy pathways.
1
https://www ipcc ch/2018/10/08/summary-for-policymakers-of-ipcc-special-report-on-global-warming-of-1-5c-
approved-by-governments/
2
https://www nytimes com/2019/01/08/climate/greenhouse-gas-emissions-increase html
3
https://rmi.org/a-bridge-backward-the-risky-economics-of-new-natural-gas-infrastructure-in-the-united-states/
4
https://www ipcc ch/sr15/chapter/chapter-2/
5
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/renewables-storage-poised-to-undercut-natural-gas-prices-increase-
strande/562674/
6
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Cities-target-gas-heaters-stoves-in-new-front-of-
14537156 php
7
https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/facebook-and-google-voluntary-renewables-deals-wont-clean-up-
the-grid?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Daily&utm_campaign=GTMDaily
8
https://www.southerncompany.com/content/dam/southern-company/pdf/corpresponsibility/Planning-for-a-low-
carbon-future pdf
Peer utilities, including NextEra
9
and Xcel,
10
have demonstrated alternatives to investing in new
gas infrastructure by replacing coal assets with renewables and storage, creating win-win
solutions. Shareholders are concerned that Southern is lagging behind on such opportunities
and increasing its exposure to climate-related risks by investing in significant gas holdings that
may become stranded.
11
Resolved:
Shareholders request that Southern issue a report, at reasonable cost and omitting
proprietary information, describing how it is responding to the risk of stranded assets of
planned natural gas-based infrastructure and assets, as the global response to climate change
intensifies.
9
https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/nextera-inks-even-bigger-windsolarstorage-deal-with-oklahoma-
cooperative
10
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/lazard-renewables-can-challenge-existing-coal-plants-on-price/541965/
11
https://www spglobal com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/54188928
Andrew Behar
CEO
As You Sow
2150 Kittredge St., Suite 450
Berkeley, CA 94704
Re: Authorization to File Shareholder Resolution
Dear Mr. Behar,
The undersigned (the “Stockholder”) authorizes
As You Sow
to file or co-file a shareholder resolution on
Stockholder’s behalf with the named Company for inclusion in the Company’s 2020 proxy statement, in
accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934. The resolution at issue relates to the below described subject.
Stockholder:
Company:
Subject:
The Stockholder has continuously owned over $2,000 worth of Company stock, with voting rights, for
over a year. The Stockholder intends to hold the required amount of stock through the date of the
Company’s annual meeting in 2020.
The Stockholder gives
As You Sow
the authority to address on the Stockholder’s behalf any and all
aspects of the shareholder resolution, including designating another entity as lead filer and
representative of the shareholder. The Stockholder understands that the Stockholder’s name may
appear on the company’s proxy statement as the filer of the aforementioned resolution, and that the
media may mention the Stockholder’s name in relation to the resolution.
The shareholder further authorizes
As You Sow
to send a letter of support of the resolution on
Stockholder’s behalf.
Sincerely,
_
_____________________
DocuSign Envelope ID: 743B34B2-650D-4BD1-A41E-E0AFA58EB285
Andrew Behar
Report on how the company is responding to risk of stranded assets
associated with climate change.
Southern Company
December 5, 2019
Andrew Behar
L:
2150 Kittredge St. Suite 450
www.asyousow.org
Berkeley, CA 94704
BUILDING A SAFE, JUST, AND SUSTAINABLE WORLD SINCE 1992
VIA EMAIL & OVERNIGHT MAIL
December 6, 2019
Melissa K. Caen
Corporate Secretary
Southern Company
30 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
fax: 404-506-0344
mkcaen@southernco.com
Dear Ms. Caen,
Wynnette M. LaBrosse Trust, a shareholder of Southern Company, is co-filing a shareholder proposal for
action at the next annual meeting of the company. Shareholder is co-filing this resolution with Andrew
Behar, who is the lead filer of the proposal. Andrew Behar (represented by
As You Sow
) has submitted
the enclosed shareholder proposal for inclusion in the 2020 proxy statement in accordance with Rule
14a-8 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Andrew Behar is
authorized to act on the co-filer’s behalf with regard to withdrawal of the proposal.
Letters authorizing
As You Sow
to act on co-filers’ behalf are enclosed. A representative of the lead filer
will attend the stockholders’ meeting to move the resolution as required. To schedule a dialogue, please
contact Lila Holzman, Energy Program Manager at
lholzman@asyousow.org
. Please send all
correspondence to Ms. Holzman
with a copy to
shareholderengagement@asyousow.org
. Also, please
note that our address has changed. Our new address is set forth above.
Sincerely,
Lila Holzman
Energy Program Manager
Enclosures
•
Shareholder Proposal
•
Shareholder Authorization
Cc:
corpgov@southerncompany.com
Whereas:
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report finding that
"rapid, far-reaching” changes are necessary in the next 10 years to avoid disastrous levels of
global warming.
1
The energy sector has a critical role to play in mitigating climate risks. Already, the sector is
undergoing a rapid transition by moving away from coal, but growing reliance on natural gas
creates ongoing risk. Natural gas is a major contributor to climate change due to methane leaks
and routine combustion emissions. In 2018, natural gas contributed to an
increase
in power
sector emissions,
2
thereby jeopardizing chances of achieving reductions in line with the Paris
Agreement’s goal of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Building new gas infrastructure may be uneconomic and result in costly stranded assets
comparable to early retirements now occurring for coal.
3
While some low-carbon scenarios
show gas use continuing, they rely on carbon removal technologies -- a risky assumption given
that the technology has yet to prove economic at scale.
4
Existing alternatives to natural gas -- such as renewables plus storage, demand response,
electrification, and energy efficiency -- are all increasingly cost-effective means of serving
energy needs while reducing fossil fuel use and climate impacts.
5
City governments, recognizing
gas’ harmful climate impacts, are setting policies prohibiting gas hookups for new buildings in
favor of safer, healthier electric buildings.
6
Furthermore, states, cities, and large consumers are
setting ambitious renewable energy targets, which utilities will need to supply or risk losing
business.
7
While Southern is to be commended for taking climate conscious steps, including setting a long
term greenhouse gas target and actions to decrease methane leakage,
8
investors lack sufficient
information to understand if or how the Company can reconcile its growing reliance on natural
gas with aligning with Paris goals.
The Company's disclosures indicate Southern is continuing to invest in expensive gas
infrastructure but is not sufficiently addressing how those costly assets and their depreciation
timelines reconcile with climate stability goals or the existence of increasingly low cost, clean
energy pathways.
1
https://www ipcc ch/2018/10/08/summary-for-policymakers-of-ipcc-special-report-on-global-warming-of-1-5c-
approved-by-governments/
2
https://www nytimes com/2019/01/08/climate/greenhouse-gas-emissions-increase html
3
https://rmi.org/a-bridge-backward-the-risky-economics-of-new-natural-gas-infrastructure-in-the-united-states/
4
https://www ipcc ch/sr15/chapter/chapter-2/
5
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/renewables-storage-poised-to-undercut-natural-gas-prices-increase-
strande/562674/
6
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Cities-target-gas-heaters-stoves-in-new-front-of-
14537156 php
7
https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/facebook-and-google-voluntary-renewables-deals-wont-clean-up-
the-grid?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Daily&utm_campaign=GTMDaily
8
https://www.southerncompany.com/content/dam/southern-company/pdf/corpresponsibility/Planning-for-a-low-
carbon-future pdf
Peer utilities, including NextEra
9
and Xcel,
10
have demonstrated alternatives to investing in new
gas infrastructure by replacing coal assets with renewables and storage, creating win-win
solutions. Shareholders are concerned that Southern is lagging behind on such opportunities
and increasing its exposure to climate-related risks by investing in significant gas holdings that
may become stranded.
11
Resolved:
Shareholders request that Southern issue a report, at reasonable cost and omitting
proprietary information, describing how it is responding to the risk of stranded assets of
planned natural gas-based infrastructure and assets, as the global response to climate change
intensifies.
9
https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/nextera-inks-even-bigger-windsolarstorage-deal-with-oklahoma-
cooperative
10
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/lazard-renewables-can-challenge-existing-coal-plants-on-price/541965/
11
https://www spglobal com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/54188928
Andrew Behar
CEO
As You Sow
2150 Kittredge St., Suite 450
Berkeley, CA 94704
Re: Authorization to File Shareholder Resolution
Dear Andrew Behar,
As of the date of this letter, the undersigned authorizes As You Sow (AYS) file, cofile, or
endorse the shareholder resolution identified below on Stockholder’s behalf with the identified
company, and that it be included in the proxy statement as specified below, in accordance with
Rule 14-a8 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
The Stockholder: Wynnette LaBrosse Tr (S)
Company: Southern Company
Annual Meeting/Proxy Statement Year: 2020
Resolution Subject: Climate change risk reporting
The Stockholder gives As You Sow the authority to deal on the Stockholder’s behalf with any
and all aspects of the shareholder resolution, including designating another entity as lead filer
and representative of the shareholder. The Stockholder understands that the Stockholder’s
name may appear on the company’s proxy statement as the filer of the aforementioned
resolution, and that the media may mention the Stockholder’s name related to the resolution.
Sincerely,
Name:
Title:
DocuS gn Enve ope ID: A8CBB215-7F02-42BE-82CB-0D28206CC420
Andrew Behar
CEO
As You Sow
2150 Kittredge St., Suite 450
Berkeley, CA 94704
Re: ADDENDUM LETTER to Authorization to File Shareholder Resolution
Dear Andrew Behar,
The undersigned submits the addendum below to an earlier signed letter that authorizes
As You Sow
to
file, co-file, or endorse a shareholder resolution on Stockholder’s behalf for inclusion in the company’s
proxy statement in accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934. The company name, resolution name, and resolution date are set forth
below.
The Stockholder
:
Company
:
Annual Meeting/Proxy Statement Year
:
Resolution Name
:
The Stockholder has continuously owned over $2,000 worth of company stock, with voting rights, for
over a year.
ADDENDUM:
The Stockholder intends to hold the required amount of stock through the
date of the company’s annual meeting in .
Sincerely,
_______________________
Name:
Title:
DocuSign Envelope ID: E2DBDF80-D6F2-4B61-A236-4FA4E861C143
Wynnette M. LaBrosse Trust
12/5/2019 | 9:20:10 AM PST
Wynnette M. LaBrosse
Trustee
Southern Company
Report on how company is responding to risk of
stranded assets associated with climate change.
2020
2020
From:
Hewett, Laura Oleck
Sent:
Saturday, December 7, 2019 7:04 AM
To:
Kwan@asyousow.org
Cc:
CORPGOV
Subject:
RE: SO ‐ Southern Shareholder Resolution Filing Letters
Good morning, Kwan. We are confirming receipt of your email.
Best,
Laura
Laura O. Hewett
VP, Corporate Governance
404.506.0714 (Office) / 404.218.5159 (Cell)
lohewett@southernco.com
From:
Hewett, Laura Oleck <
LOHEWETT@southernco.com
>
Sent:
Friday, December 13, 2019 7:17 AM
To:
Lila Holzman <
lholzman@asyousow.org
>
Cc:
Kwan Hong Teoh <
Kwan@asyousow.org
>; Shareholder Engagement
<
shareholderengagement@asyousow.org
>
Subject:
RE: SO ‐ Southern Shareholder Resolution Filing Letters
Hi Lila. We have not yet received proof of continuous stock ownership from either proponent, so please
see attached the formal notice letter and attachment per SEC rules advising you of the same.
If you would kindly confirm receipt of the letter via email, I can avoid the additional expense of sending
a copy across the country. Similarly, I would encourage you to submit the proof of stock ownership to
me electronically via email if possible.
I know you and Jeff spoke earlier this week at the roundtable, and I’ll work with Jeff to get a date on the
calendar to discuss the proposal.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Best,
Laura
Laura O. Hewett
VP, Corporate Governance
404.506.0714 (Work) / 404.218.5159 (Cell)
lohewett@southernco.com
Lila, thanks for confirming. We are checking calendars and looking for some dates to propose in the first
few weeks of January.
Best,
Laura
Laura O. Hewett
VP, Corporate Governance
404.506.0714 (Work) / 404.218.5159 (Cell)
lohewett@southernco.com
From:
Lila Holzman <
lholzman@asyousow.org
>
Sent:
Friday, December 13, 2019 11:26 AM
To:
Hewett, Laura Oleck <
LOHEWETT@southernco.com
>
Cc:
Kwan Hong Teoh <
Kwan@asyousow.org
>; Shareholder Engagement
<
shareholderengagement@asyousow.org
>
Subject:
RE: SO ‐ Southern Shareholder Resolution Filing Letters
EXTERNAL MAIL: Caution Opening Links or Files
Laura,
Yes, confirming receipt and happy to proceed via email. Kwan will be following up on this.
And yes, looking forward to getting a call scheduled.
If we don’t speak again sooner, hope you enjoy the holidays,
Lila
___________________
Lila Holzman
Energy Program Manager
As You Sow
2150 Kittredge St., Suite 450
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 735-8153 (direct line) | (415) 483-9533 (cell)
lholzman@asyousow.org | www.asyousow.org
[asyousow.org]
From:
Kwan Hong Teoh <
Kwan@asyousow.org
>
Sent:
Friday, December 27, 2019 9:17 PM
To:
Hewett, Laura Oleck
Cc:
Lila Holzman; Shareholder Engagement; Danielle Fugere
Subject:
SO ‐ Deficiency Notice Reply
EXTERNAL MAIL: Caution Opening Links or Files
Dear Ms. Hewett,
We are in receipt of your letter issued December 13, 2019 alleging notice of a
deficiency in our December 6, 2019 letter transmitting a proposal for inclusion on the
Company’s 2020 proxy. In response to the cited deficiency, we enclose a proof of ownership
letter establishing the proponent’s and co‐filer’s ownership of the Company’s common stock in
the requisite amount and in the time frame necessary to meet eligibility requirements.
Receipt confirmation of the enclosed would be appreciated. Thank you
Best,
Kwan
Teoh, Kwan Hong
(he/him)
Environmental Health Program
Research Manager
As You Sow
2150 Kittredge St., Suite 450
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 735‐8147 (direct line) | (605) 651‐5517 (cell)
kwan@asyousow.org | www.asyousow.org
[asyousow.org]
~Building a Safe, Just and Sustainable World since 1992~
Hi Laura,
Thank you and Happy New Year to you as well
Best,
Kwan
Teoh, Kwan Hong
(he/him)
Environmental Health Program
Research Manager
As You Sow
(510) 735‐8147 (direct line) | (605) 651‐5517 (cell)
kwan@asyousow.org | www.asyousow.org
[asyousow.org]
~Building a Safe, Just and Sustainable World since 1992~
From:
"Hewett, Laura Oleck" <
LOHEWETT@southernco.com
>
Date:
Saturday, December 28, 2019 at 4:12 AM
To:
Kwan Hong Teoh <
Kwan@asyousow.org
>
Cc:
Lila Holzman <
lholzman@asyousow.org
>, Shareholder Engagement
<
shareholderengagement@asyousow.org
>, Danielle Fugere <
DFugere@asyousow.org
>
Subject:
Re: SO ‐ Deficiency Notice Reply
Hi Kwan. Confirming receipt. I hope you and the rest of the team have a happy new year.
Best,
Laura
Laura O. Hewett
(Sent from my mobile device)