REGULATORY MATTERS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Regulated Operations [Abstract]

REGULATORY MATTERS

REGULATORY MATTERS

See Note 2 to the financial statements in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for additional information relating to regulatory matters.

The recovery balances for certain retail regulatory clauses of the traditional electric operating companies and Southern Company Gas at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows:

Regulatory Clause	Balance Sheet Line Item	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
		(in millions)
Alabama Power
Rate CNP Compliance	Other regulatory liabilities, current	$	12	$	55
	Other regulatory liabilities, deferred	38		7
Rate CNP PPA	Deferred under recovered regulatory clause revenues	62		40
Retail Energy Cost Recovery	Other regulatory liabilities, current	107		32
	Other regulatory liabilities, deferred	16		17
Natural Disaster Reserve	Other regulatory liabilities, current	7		37
	Other regulatory liabilities, deferred	51		113
Georgia Power
Fuel Cost Recovery	Over recovered fuel clause revenues	$	84	$	—
	Other deferred credits and liabilities	67		73
Mississippi Power
Fuel Cost Recovery	Over recovered regulatory clause liabilities	$	23	$	23
Ad Valorem Tax	Other regulatory assets	11		47
	Other regulatory assets, deferred	36		—
Property Damage Reserve	Other regulatory liabilities, deferred	48		54
Southern Company Gas
Natural Gas Cost Recovery	Other regulatory liabilities	$	84	$	74

Alabama Power

Petition for Certificate of Convenience and Necessity

On August 14, 2020, the Alabama PSC issued its order regarding Alabama Power's petition for a certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN), which authorized Alabama Power to (i) construct an approximately 720-MW combined cycle facility at Alabama Power's Plant Barry (Plant Barry Unit 8), which is expected to be placed in service by the end of 2023, (ii) complete the Autauga Combined Cycle Acquisition, which occurred on August 31, 2020, (iii) purchase approximately 240 MWs of combined cycle generation under a long-term PPA, which began on September 1, 2020, and (iv) pursue up to approximately 200 MWs of cost-effective demand-side management and distributed energy resource programs.

The Alabama PSC authorized the recovery of actual costs for the construction of Plant Barry Unit 8 up to 5% above the estimated in-service cost of $652 million. In so doing, it recognized the potential for developments that could cause the project costs to exceed the capped amount, in which case Alabama Power would provide documentation to the Alabama PSC to explain and justify potential recovery of the additional costs.

The Alabama PSC further directed that the proposed solar generation of approximately 400 MWs, coupled with battery energy storage systems (solar/battery systems), be evaluated under an existing Renewable Generation

Certificate (RGC) issued by the Alabama PSC in September 2015. The contracts proposed in the CCN petition expired on July 31, 2020. Any future requests for solar/battery systems will be evaluated under the RGC process.

Energy Alabama, Gasp, Inc., and the Sierra Club filed petitions for reconsideration and rehearing with the Alabama PSC. Alabama PSC action on these petitions is expected by November 10, 2020. Upon issuance of a written order reflecting such action, affected parties would have 30 days to pursue an appeal through the State of Alabama court system.

Alabama Power expects to recover all approved costs associated with the CCN through existing rate mechanisms as outlined in Note 2 to the financial statements in Item 8 of the Form 10-K.

The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time.

Rate ECR

On August 7, 2020, the Alabama PSC issued an order authorizing Alabama Power to reduce its over-collected fuel balance by $100 million and return that amount to customers in the form of bill credits for the billing month of October 2020. Any portion of the $100 million undistributed following the bill credit process will remain in the Rate ECR regulatory liability for the benefit of customers.

Rate NDR

In the third quarter 2020, Alabama Power recorded $44 million against the NDR for damages incurred to its transmission and distribution facilities from Hurricane Sally. The NDR balance available for storm damages was $51 million as of September 30, 2020. If the balance falls below $50 million, a reserve establishment charge would be activated (and the ongoing reserve maintenance charge concurrently suspended) until the reserve balance reaches $75 million.

Georgia Power

Rate Plans

2019 ARP

In accordance with the terms of the 2019 ARP, on October 1, 2020, Georgia Power filed the following tariff adjustments to become effective January 1, 2021 pending approval by the Georgia PSC:

•increase traditional base tariffs by approximately $120 million;

•increase the Environmental Compliance Cost Recovery tariff by approximately $2 million;

•decrease Demand-Side Management tariffs by approximately $15 million; and

•increase Municipal Franchise Fee tariffs by approximately $4 million.

The ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time.

2013 ARP

In 2019, Georgia Power's retail ROE exceeded 12.00% and, under the modified sharing mechanism pursuant to the 2019 ARP, Georgia Power reduced regulatory assets by approximately $60 million and accrued refunds for retail customers of approximately $60 million. On September 1, 2020, the Georgia PSC authorized Georgia Power to issue customers bill credits prior to final review of the 2019 Annual Surveillance Report by the staff of the Georgia PSC. Georgia Power issued the bill credits in October 2020.

Deferral of Incremental COVID-19 Costs

On April 7, 2020 and June 2, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Georgia PSC approved orders directing Georgia Power to continue its previous, voluntary suspension of customer disconnections through July 14, 2020 and to defer the resulting incremental bad debt as a regulatory asset. On June 16, 2020 and July 7, 2020, the Georgia PSC approved orders establishing a methodology for identifying incremental bad debt and allowing the

deferral of other incremental costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The period over which such costs will be recovered is expected to be determined in Georgia Power's next base rate case. At September 30, 2020, the incremental costs deferred totaled approximately $38 million. The ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time.

Integrated Resource Plan

On March 5, 2020, the Sierra Club filed a petition for judicial review in the Superior Court of Fulton County to appeal the Georgia PSC's decision in the 2019 ARP allowing Georgia Power to recover compliance costs for CCR AROs. Georgia Power intervened in the appeal on June 22, 2020. The ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time.

Fuel Cost Recovery

On May 28, 2020, the Georgia PSC approved a stipulation agreement among Georgia Power, the staff of the Georgia PSC, and certain intervenors to lower total fuel billings by approximately $740 million over a two-year period effective June 1, 2020. In addition, Georgia Power further lowered fuel billings by approximately $44 million under an interim fuel rider effective June 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020. Georgia Power continues to be allowed to adjust its fuel cost recovery rates under an interim fuel rider prior to its next fuel case if the under or over recovered fuel balance exceeds $200 million. Georgia Power is scheduled to file its next fuel case no later than February 28, 2023.

Nuclear Construction

In 2009, the Georgia PSC certified construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4, in which Georgia Power holds a 45.7% ownership interest. In 2012, the NRC issued the related combined construction and operating licenses, which allowed full construction of the two AP1000 nuclear units (with electric generating capacity of approximately 1,100 MWs each) and related facilities to begin. Until March 2017, construction on Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 continued under the Vogtle 3 and 4 Agreement, which was a substantially fixed price agreement. In March 2017, the EPC Contractor filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

In connection with the EPC Contractor's bankruptcy filing, Georgia Power, acting for itself and as agent for the other Vogtle Owners, entered into several transitional arrangements to allow construction to continue. In July 2017, Georgia Power, acting for itself and as agent for the other Vogtle Owners, entered into the Vogtle Services Agreement, whereby Westinghouse provides facility design and engineering services, procurement and technical support, and staff augmentation on a time and materials cost basis. The Vogtle Services Agreement provides that it will continue until the start-up and testing of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 are complete and electricity is generated and sold from both units. The Vogtle Services Agreement is terminable by the Vogtle Owners upon 30 days' written notice.

In October 2017, Georgia Power, acting for itself and as agent for the other Vogtle Owners, executed the Bechtel Agreement, a cost reimbursable plus fee arrangement, whereby Bechtel is reimbursed for actual costs plus a base fee and an at-risk fee, which is subject to adjustment based on Bechtel's performance against cost and schedule targets. Each Vogtle Owner is severally (not jointly) liable for its proportionate share, based on its ownership interest, of all amounts owed to Bechtel under the Bechtel Agreement. The Vogtle Owners may terminate the Bechtel Agreement at any time for their convenience, provided that the Vogtle Owners will be required to pay amounts related to work performed prior to the termination (including the applicable portion of the base fee), certain termination-related costs, and, at certain stages of the work, the applicable portion of the at-risk fee. Bechtel may terminate the Bechtel Agreement under certain circumstances, including certain Vogtle Owner suspensions of work, certain breaches of the Bechtel Agreement by the Vogtle Owners, Vogtle Owner insolvency, and certain other events.

See Note 8 to the financial statements under "Long-term Debt – DOE Loan Guarantee Borrowings" in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for information on the Amended and Restated Loan Guarantee Agreement, including applicable covenants, events of default, mandatory prepayment events, and conditions to borrowing.

Cost and Schedule

Georgia Power's approximate proportionate share of the remaining estimated capital cost to complete Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 by the expected in-service dates of November 2021 and November 2022, respectively, is as follows:

	(in billions)
Base project capital cost forecast(a)(b)	$	8.4
Construction contingency estimate	0.1
Total project capital cost forecast(a)(b)	8.5
Net investment as of September 30, 2020(b)	(6.9)
Remaining estimate to complete(a)	$	1.6

(a)    Excludes financing costs expected to be capitalized through AFUDC of approximately $240 million, of which $71 million had been accrued through September 30, 2020.

(b)    Net of $1.7 billion received from Toshiba under the Guarantee Settlement Agreement and approximately $188 million in related customer refunds.

Georgia Power estimates that its financing costs for construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 will total approximately $3.0 billion, of which $2.5 billion had been incurred through September 30, 2020.

As part of its ongoing processes, Southern Nuclear continues to evaluate cost and schedule forecasts on a regular basis to incorporate current information available, particularly in the areas of engineering support, commodity installation, system turnovers and related test results, and workforce statistics.

As of June 30, 2020, assignments of contingency exceeded the remaining balance of the $366 million construction contingency originally established in the second quarter 2018 by approximately $34 million. This contingency was used to address cost risks related to construction productivity, including the April 2020 reduction in workforce designed to mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic described below; craft labor incentives; adding resources for supervision, field support, project management, initial test program, start-up, and operations and engineering support; subcontracts; and procurement, among other factors. As a result of these factors, Georgia Power established $115 million of additional construction contingency as of June 30, 2020 for further potential risks including, among other factors, construction productivity and expected impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; additional resources for supervision, field support, project management, initial test program, start-up, and operations and engineering support; subcontracts; and procurement.

After considering the significant level of uncertainty that exists regarding the future recoverability of these costs since the ultimate outcome of these matters is subject to the outcome of future assessments by management, as well as Georgia PSC decisions in future regulatory proceedings, Georgia Power recorded a total pre-tax charge to income of $149 million ($111 million after tax) for the increase in the total project capital cost forecast as of June 30, 2020. As and when these amounts are spent, Georgia Power may request the Georgia PSC to evaluate those expenditures for rate recovery.

During the third quarter 2020, approximately $5 million of the construction contingency established in the second quarter 2020 was assigned to the base capital cost forecast for cost risks primarily associated with construction productivity and field support.

In April 2019, Southern Nuclear established aggressive target values for monthly construction production and system turnover activities as part of a strategy to maintain and, where possible, build margin to the regulatory-approved in-service dates of November 2021 for Unit 3 and November 2022 for Unit 4. Through early 2020, the project faced challenges with the April 2019 aggressive strategy targets including, but not limited to, electrical and pipefitting labor productivity and work package closure rates, which resulted in a backlog of activities and completion percentages below the April 2019 aggressive strategy targets.

In February 2020, Southern Nuclear updated its cost and schedule forecast, which, at that time, did not change the total project capital cost forecast and confirmed the expected in-service dates of November 2021 for Unit 3 and

November 2022 for Unit 4. This update included initiatives to improve productivity while refining and extending system turnover plans and certain near-term milestone dates. Other milestone dates did not change. Achievement of the February 2020 aggressive site work plan relied on meeting increased monthly production and activity target values during 2020.

In mid-March 2020, Southern Nuclear began implementing policies and procedures designed to mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19 at the construction site, including worker distancing measures, isolating individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, are showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, are being tested for COVID-19, or have been in close contact with such persons, requiring self-quarantine, and adopting additional precautionary measures.

In April 2020, Georgia Power, acting for itself and as agent for the other Vogtle Owners, announced a reduction in workforce at Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4, which totaled approximately 20% of the then-existing site workforce. This reduction in workforce was a mitigation action intended to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 workforce and construction site, including challenges with labor productivity that were exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The April 2020 workforce reduction was intended to provide operational efficiencies by increasing productivity of the remaining workforce and reducing workforce fatigue and absenteeism. Further, it was also intended to allow for increased social distancing by the workforce and facilitate compliance with the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The April 2020 workforce reduction did reduce absenteeism, providing an improvement in operational efficiency and allowing for increased social distancing. From the initial peak in April 2020, the number of active cases at the site declined significantly during May and early June, but began increasing again from mid-June through July, and continued to impact productivity levels and pace of activity completion. As a result of these factors, overall production improvements were not achieved at the levels anticipated, contributing to the June 30, 2020 allocation of, and increase in, construction contingency described above. Through mid-July 2020, Unit 3 mechanical, electrical, and subcontract activities continued to build a backlog to Southern Nuclear's February 2020 aggressive site work plan.

To address these issues, in July 2020, Southern Nuclear updated its aggressive site work plan for both Unit 3 and Unit 4. Through October 2020, the project has faced challenges in meeting the July 2020 aggressive site work plan targets including, but not limited to, overall construction and subcontractor labor productivity, which has resulted in a backlog of activities and completion percentages below the July 2020 aggressive site work plan targets. In addition, while the number of active COVID-19 cases at the site has declined since July 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact productivity and the pace of activity completion. After considering these factors, Southern Nuclear has further extended milestone dates from the July 2020 aggressive site work plan. Achievement of these extended milestone dates depends on absenteeism rates continuing to normalize and overall construction productivity and production levels, including subcontractors, significantly improving and being sustained above pre-pandemic levels. In addition, appropriate levels of craft laborers, particularly electrical and pipefitter craft labor, need to be added and maintained. Georgia Power still expects to achieve the regulatory-approved in-service dates of November 2021 and November 2022 for Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4, respectively. Southern Nuclear and Georgia Power continue to believe that pursuit of an aggressive site work plan is an appropriate strategy to achieve completion of the units by their regulatory-approved in-service dates.

As construction, including subcontract work, continues and testing and system turnover activities increase, challenges with management of contractors and vendors; subcontractor performance; supervision of craft labor and related productivity, particularly in the installation of electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation and controls commodities, ability to attract and retain craft labor, and/or related cost escalation; procurement, fabrication, delivery, assembly, installation, system turnover, and the initial testing and start-up, including any required engineering changes or any remediation related thereto, of plant systems, structures, or components (some of which are based on new technology that only within the last few years began initial operation in the global nuclear industry at this scale), any of which may require additional labor and/or materials; or other issues could arise and change the projected schedule and estimated cost.

In addition, the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could further disrupt or delay construction, testing, supervisory, and support activities at Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. Georgia Power's proportionate share of the estimated incremental cost associated with COVID-19 mitigation actions and impacts on construction productivity is currently estimated to be between $70 million and $115 million, which is included in the total project capital cost forecast and assumes (i) absenteeism rates continue to normalize and (ii) the intended productivity efficiencies and production targets assumed in Southern Nuclear's July 2020 aggressive site work plan are realized in the coming months. However, the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the construction schedule and budget for Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 cannot be determined at this time.

There have been technical and procedural challenges to the construction and licensing of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 at the federal and state level and additional challenges may arise. Processes are in place that are designed to assure compliance with the requirements specified in the Westinghouse Design Control Document and the combined construction and operating licenses, including inspections by Southern Nuclear and the NRC that occur throughout construction. As a result of such compliance processes, certain license amendment requests have been filed and approved or are pending before the NRC. Various design and other licensing-based compliance matters, including the timely submittal by Southern Nuclear of the ITAAC documentation for each unit and the related reviews and approvals by the NRC necessary to support NRC authorization to load fuel, may arise, which may result in additional license amendments or require other resolution. As part of the aggressive site work plan, in January 2020, Southern Nuclear notified the NRC of its intent to load fuel in 2020. On June 15, 2020, the NRC rejected Nuclear Watch South's April 20, 2020 petition requesting a hearing and challenging the closure of certain ITAAC. On August 10, 2020, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board rejected the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League's (BREDL) May 11, 2020 petition challenging a license amendment request. The staff of the NRC has issued the requested amendment to the combined construction and operating license for Plant Vogtle Unit 3. BREDL appealed the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board decision to the NRC. If any license amendment requests or other licensing-based compliance issues are not resolved in a timely manner, there may be delays in the project schedule that could result in increased costs.

The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time. However, any extension of the regulatory-approved project schedule is currently estimated to result in additional base capital costs of approximately $50 million per month, based on Georgia Power's ownership interests, and AFUDC of approximately $10 million per month. While Georgia Power is not precluded from seeking recovery of any future capital cost forecast increase, management will ultimately determine whether or not to seek recovery. Any further changes to the capital cost forecast that are not expected to be recoverable through regulated rates will be required to be charged to income and such charges could be material.

Joint Owner Contracts

In November 2017, the Vogtle Owners entered into an amendment to their joint ownership agreements for Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 to provide for, among other conditions, additional Vogtle Owner approval requirements. Effective in August 2018, the Vogtle Owners further amended the joint ownership agreements to clarify and provide procedures for certain provisions of the joint ownership agreements related to adverse events that require the vote of the holders of at least 90% of the ownership interests in Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 to continue construction (as amended, and together with the November 2017 amendment, the Vogtle Joint Ownership Agreements). The Vogtle Joint Ownership Agreements also confirm that the Vogtle Owners' sole recourse against Georgia Power or Southern Nuclear for any action or inaction in connection with their performance as agent for the Vogtle Owners is limited to removal of Georgia Power and/or Southern Nuclear as agent, except in cases of willful misconduct.

As a result of an increase in the total project capital cost forecast and Georgia Power's decision not to seek rate recovery of the increase in the base capital costs in conjunction with the nineteenth VCM report in 2018, the holders of at least 90% of the ownership interests in Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 were required to vote to continue construction. In September 2018, the Vogtle Owners unanimously voted to continue construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4.

Amendments to the Vogtle Joint Ownership Agreements

In connection with the vote to continue construction, Georgia Power entered into (i) a binding term sheet (Vogtle Owner Term Sheet) with the other Vogtle Owners and MEAG Power's wholly-owned subsidiaries MEAG Power SPVJ, LLC (MEAG SPVJ), MEAG Power SPVM, LLC (MEAG SPVM), and MEAG Power SPVP, LLC (MEAG SPVP) to take certain actions which partially mitigate potential financial exposure for the other Vogtle Owners, including additional amendments to the Vogtle Joint Ownership Agreements and the purchase of PTCs from the other Vogtle Owners at pre-established prices, and (ii) a term sheet (MEAG Term Sheet) with MEAG Power and MEAG SPVJ to provide up to $300 million of funding with respect to MEAG SPVJ's ownership interest in Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 under certain circumstances. In January 2019, Georgia Power, MEAG Power, and MEAG SPVJ entered into an agreement to implement the provisions of the MEAG Term Sheet. In February 2019, Georgia Power, the other Vogtle Owners, and MEAG Power's wholly-owned subsidiaries MEAG SPVJ, MEAG SPVM, and MEAG SPVP entered into certain amendments to the Vogtle Joint Ownership Agreements to implement the provisions of the Vogtle Owner Term Sheet (Global Amendments).

As previously disclosed, pursuant to the Global Amendments: (i) each Vogtle Owner must pay its proportionate share of qualifying construction costs for Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 based on its ownership percentage up to the estimated cost at completion (EAC) for Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 which formed the basis of Georgia Power's forecast of $8.4 billion in the nineteenth VCM plus $800 million; (ii) Georgia Power will be responsible for 55.7% of actual qualifying construction costs between $800 million and $1.6 billion over the EAC in the nineteenth VCM (resulting in $80 million of potential additional costs to Georgia Power), with the remaining Vogtle Owners responsible for 44.3% of such costs pro rata in accordance with their respective ownership interests; and (iii) Georgia Power will be responsible for 65.7% of qualifying construction costs between $1.6 billion and $2.1 billion over the EAC in the nineteenth VCM (resulting in a further $100 million of potential additional costs to Georgia Power), with the remaining Vogtle Owners responsible for 34.3% of such costs pro rata in accordance with their respective ownership interests. If the EAC is revised and exceeds the EAC in the nineteenth VCM by more than $2.1 billion, each of the other Vogtle Owners will have a one-time option at the time the project budget forecast is so revised to tender a portion of its ownership interest to Georgia Power in exchange for Georgia Power's agreement to pay 100% of such Vogtle Owner's remaining share of total construction costs in excess of the EAC in the nineteenth VCM plus $2.1 billion.

In addition, pursuant to the Global Amendments, the holders of at least 90% of the ownership interests in Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 must vote to continue construction if certain adverse events occur, including, among other events: (i) the bankruptcy of Toshiba; (ii) the termination or rejection in bankruptcy of certain agreements, including the Vogtle Services Agreement, the Bechtel Agreement, or the agency agreement with Southern Nuclear; (iii) Georgia Power's public announcement of its intention not to submit for rate recovery any portion of its investment in Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 or the Georgia PSC determines that any of Georgia Power's costs relating to the construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 will not be recovered in retail rates, excluding any additional amounts paid by Georgia Power on behalf of the other Vogtle Owners pursuant to the Global Amendments described above and the first 6% of costs during any six-month VCM reporting period that are disallowed by the Georgia PSC for recovery, or for which Georgia Power elects not to seek cost recovery, through retail rates; and (iv) an incremental extension of one year or more over the most recently approved schedule.

The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time.

Regulatory Matters

In 2009, the Georgia PSC voted to certify construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 with a certified capital cost of $4.418 billion. In addition, in 2009 the Georgia PSC approved inclusion of the Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 related CWIP accounts in rate base, and the State of Georgia enacted the Georgia Nuclear Energy Financing Act, which allows Georgia Power to recover financing costs for Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. Financing costs are recovered on all applicable certified costs through annual adjustments to the NCCR tariff up to the certified capital cost of $4.418 billion. At September 30, 2020, Georgia Power had recovered approximately $2.5 billion of financing costs. Financing costs related to capital costs above $4.418 billion are being recognized through AFUDC and are expected

to be recovered through retail rates over the life of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4; however, Georgia Power will not record AFUDC related to any capital costs in excess of the total deemed reasonable by the Georgia PSC (currently $7.3 billion) and not requested for rate recovery. On October 1, 2020, Georgia Power filed a request to decrease the NCCR tariff by $142 million annually, effective January 1, 2021, pending Georgia PSC approval.

Georgia Power is required to file semi-annual VCM reports with the Georgia PSC by February 28 and August 31 of each year. In 2013, in connection with the eighth VCM report, the Georgia PSC approved a stipulation between Georgia Power and the staff of the Georgia PSC to waive the requirement to amend the Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 certificate in accordance with the 2009 certification order until the completion of Plant Vogtle Unit 3, or earlier if deemed appropriate by the Georgia PSC and Georgia Power.

In 2016, the Georgia PSC voted to approve a settlement agreement (Vogtle Cost Settlement Agreement) resolving certain prudency matters in connection with the fifteenth VCM report. In December 2017, the Georgia PSC voted to approve (and issued its related order on January 11, 2018) Georgia Power's seventeenth VCM report and modified the Vogtle Cost Settlement Agreement. The Vogtle Cost Settlement Agreement, as modified by the January 11, 2018 order, resolved the following regulatory matters related to Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4: (i) none of the $3.3 billion of costs incurred through December 31, 2015 and reflected in the fourteenth VCM report should be disallowed from rate base on the basis of imprudence; (ii) the Contractor Settlement Agreement was reasonable and prudent and none of the amounts paid pursuant to the Contractor Settlement Agreement should be disallowed from rate base on the basis of imprudence; (iii) (a) capital costs incurred up to $5.68 billion would be presumed to be reasonable and prudent with the burden of proof on any party challenging such costs, (b) Georgia Power would have the burden to show that any capital costs above $5.68 billion were prudent, and (c) a revised capital cost forecast of $7.3 billion (after reflecting the impact of payments received under the Guarantee Settlement Agreement and related customer refunds) was found reasonable; (iv) construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 should be completed, with Southern Nuclear serving as project manager and Bechtel as primary contractor; (v) approved and deemed reasonable Georgia Power's revised schedule placing Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 in service in November 2021 and November 2022, respectively; (vi) confirmed that the revised cost forecast does not represent a cost cap and that prudence decisions on cost recovery will be made at a later date, consistent with applicable Georgia law; (vii) reduced the ROE used to calculate the NCCR tariff (a) from 10.95% (the ROE rate setting point authorized by the Georgia PSC in the 2013 ARP) to 10.00% effective January 1, 2016, (b) from 10.00% to 8.30%, effective January 1, 2020, and (c) from 8.30% to 5.30%, effective January 1, 2021 (provided that the ROE in no case will be less than Georgia Power's average cost of long-term debt); (viii) reduced the ROE used for AFUDC equity for Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 from 10.00% to Georgia Power's average cost of long-term debt, effective January 1, 2018; and (ix) agreed that upon Unit 3 reaching commercial operation, retail base rates would be adjusted to include carrying costs on those capital costs deemed prudent in the Vogtle Cost Settlement Agreement. The January 11, 2018 order also stated that if Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 are not commercially operational by June 1, 2021 and June 1, 2022, respectively, the ROE used to calculate the NCCR tariff will be further reduced by 10 basis points each month (but not lower than Georgia Power's average cost of long-term debt) until the respective Unit is commercially operational. The ROE reductions negatively impacted earnings by approximately $75 million in 2019 and are estimated to have negative earnings impacts of approximately $145 million, $255 million, and $200 million in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. In its January 11, 2018 order, the Georgia PSC also stated if other conditions change and assumptions upon which Georgia Power's seventeenth VCM report are based do not materialize, the Georgia PSC reserved the right to reconsider the decision to continue construction.

In February 2018, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light, Inc. (GIPL) and Partnership for Southern Equity, Inc. (PSE) filed a petition appealing the Georgia PSC's January 11, 2018 order with the Fulton County Superior Court. In March 2018, Georgia Watch filed a similar appeal to the Fulton County Superior Court for judicial review of the Georgia PSC's decision and denial of Georgia Watch's motion for reconsideration. In December 2018, the Fulton County Superior Court granted Georgia Power's motion to dismiss the two appeals. In January 2019, GIPL, PSE, and Georgia Watch filed an appeal of this decision with the Georgia Court of Appeals. In October 2019, the Georgia Court of Appeals issued an opinion affirming the Fulton County Superior Court's ruling that the Georgia PSC's January 11, 2018 order was not a final, appealable decision. In addition, the Georgia Court of Appeals remanded the

case to the Fulton County Superior Court to clarify its ruling as to whether the petitioners showed that review of the Georgia PSC's final order would not provide them an adequate remedy. On April 21, 2020, the Fulton County Superior Court granted Georgia Power's motion to dismiss the two appeals. The petitioners filed a notice of appeal of the dismissal on May 20, 2020, which was withdrawn on August 20, 2020. This matter is now concluded.

The Georgia PSC has approved 22 VCM reports covering the periods through December 31, 2019, including total construction capital costs incurred through that date of $7.4 billion (before $1.7 billion of payments received under the Guarantee Settlement Agreement and approximately $188 million in related customer refunds). Georgia Power filed its twenty-third VCM report with the Georgia PSC on August 31, 2020, which reflects the capital cost forecast discussed above and requests approval of $701 million of construction capital costs incurred from January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020.

The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time.

Mississippi Power

2019 Base Rate Case

On March 17, 2020, the Mississippi PSC approved a settlement agreement between Mississippi Power and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff related to Mississippi Power's base rate case filed in November 2019 (Mississippi Power Rate Case Settlement Agreement).

Under the terms of the Mississippi Power Rate Case Settlement Agreement, annual retail rates decreased approximately $16.7 million, or 1.85%, effective for the first billing cycle of April 2020, based on a test year period of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, a 53% average equity ratio, an allowed maximum actual equity ratio of 55% by the end of 2020, and a 7.57% return on investment.

Additionally, the approved Mississippi Power Rate Case Settlement Agreement: (i) established common amortization periods of four years for regulatory assets and three years for regulatory liabilities included in the approved revenue requirement, including those related to unprotected deferred income taxes; (ii) established new depreciation rates reflecting an annual increase in depreciation of approximately $10 million; and (iii) excluded certain compensation costs totaling approximately $3.9 million. It also eliminated separate rates for costs associated with Plant Ratcliffe and energy efficiency initiatives and includes such costs in the PEP, ECO Plan, and ad valorem tax adjustment factor, as applicable. In accordance with the previous order of the Mississippi PSC suspending the operation of PEP and the ECO Plan for 2018 through 2020, Mississippi Power plans to resume PEP proceedings and ECO Plan filings for 2021.

Performance Evaluation Plan

On July 24, 2020, the Mississippi PSC approved Mississippi Power's July 14, 2020 filing of its PEP compliance rate clause reflecting revisions agreed to in the Mississippi Power Rate Case Settlement Agreement. These revisions include, among other things, changing the filing date for the annual PEP rate filing from November of the immediately preceding year to March of the current year, utilizing a historic test year adjusted for "known and measurable" changes, using discounted cash flow and regression formulas to determine base return on equity, and moving all embedded ad valorem property taxes currently collected in PEP to the ad valorem tax adjustment clause.

Deferral of Incremental COVID-19 Costs

On April 14, 2020 and May 12, 2020, in order to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customers, the Mississippi PSC approved orders directing Mississippi Power to continue its previous, voluntary suspension of customer disconnections through May 26, 2020 and to defer as a regulatory asset all necessary and reasonable incremental costs or expenses to plan, prepare, stage, or react to protect and keep safe its employees and customers, and to reliably operate its utility system during the COVID-19 pandemic. The period over which such costs will be recovered is expected to be determined in a future PEP filing. At September 30, 2020, the incremental costs deferred totaled approximately $2 million. The ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time.

Municipal and Rural Associations Tariff

On June 25, 2020, the FERC accepted Mississippi Power's April 27, 2020 request for an increase in wholesale base revenues under the MRA tariff as agreed upon in a settlement agreement reached with its wholesale customers. The MRA settlement agreement resulted in a $2 million annual increase in base rates effective June 1, 2020.

Southern Company Gas

Rate Proceedings

On June 1, 2020, Virginia Natural Gas filed a general rate case with the Virginia Commission seeking an increase in rates of $49.6 million primarily to recover investments and increased costs associated with infrastructure, technology, and workforce development. The requested increase is based on a projected 12-month test year beginning November 1, 2020, a ROE of 10.35%, and an equity ratio of 54%. Rate adjustments are expected to be effective November 1, 2020, subject to refund. The Virginia Commission is expected to rule on the requested increase in the second quarter 2021.

On July 1, 2020, Atlanta Gas Light filed its 2020 GRAM filing with the Georgia PSC. The filing requests an annual base rate increase of $37.6 million based on the projected 12-month period beginning January 1, 2021, which does not exceed the 5% limitation established by the Georgia PSC in its December 2019 approval of Atlanta Gas Light's general base rate case. Resolution of the 2020 GRAM filing is expected by December 31, 2020, with rates effective January 1, 2021.

The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time.

Deferral of Incremental COVID-19 Costs

Atlanta Gas Light

On April 30, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Georgia PSC approved orders directing Atlanta Gas Light to continue its previous, voluntary suspension of customer disconnections. On June 22, 2020, the Georgia PSC ordered Atlanta Gas Light to resume customer disconnections beginning July 1, 2020, with exceptions for customers still covered by a shelter-in-place order. The orders provide the Marketers, including SouthStar, with a mechanism to receive credits from Atlanta Gas Light for the base rates it charged to the Marketers of non-paying customers during the suspension. Atlanta Gas Light expects to recover these credits through the annual revenue true-up process within its future GRAM filings, which would impact rates starting on January 1, 2022. The ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time.

Nicor Gas

On March 18, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Commission issued an order directing utilities to cease disconnections for non-payment and to suspend the imposition of late payment fees or penalties. In response to this order, on March 27, 2020, Nicor Gas and other utilities in Illinois filed their plans seeking cost recovery and providing more flexible credit and collection plans.

On June 18, 2020, the Illinois Commission approved a stipulation pursuant to which the utilities will provide more flexible credit and collection procedures to assist customers with financial hardship and which authorizes a special purpose rider for recovery of the following COVID-19 pandemic-related impacts: incremental costs directly associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, net of the offset for COVID-19 pandemic-related credits received, foregone late fees, foregone reconnection charges, and the costs associated with a bill payment assistance program. Nicor Gas resumed late payment fees on July 27, 2020 and, on October 1, 2020, began recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic-related impacts through the special purpose rider, which will continue over a 24-month period. In response to an Illinois Commission request, Nicor Gas will continue to voluntarily suspend residential customer disconnections for non-payment through March 31, 2021. At September 30, 2020, Nicor Gas' related regulatory asset was $13 million.

Virginia Natural Gas

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Virginia Commission issued orders requiring Virginia Natural Gas to suspend disconnections beginning on March 16, 2020 and also to suspend late payment and reconnection fees beginning on April 9, 2020, both of which expired on October 5, 2020. On April 29, 2020, the Virginia Commission authorized Virginia Natural Gas to defer the following COVID-19 pandemic-related costs as a regulatory asset: incremental uncollectible expense incurred, suspended late fees, suspended reconnection charges, carrying costs, and other incremental prudently incurred costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific recovery of the amounts deferred in a regulatory asset will be addressed in a future rate proceeding. At September 30, 2020, Virginia Natural Gas' related regulatory asset was $1 million. The ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time.

Infrastructure Replacement Programs and Capital Projects

In December 2019, Virginia Natural Gas filed an application with the Virginia Commission for a 24.1-mile header improvement project to improve resiliency and increase the supply of natural gas delivered to energy suppliers, including Virginia Natural Gas. On June 26, 2020, the Virginia Commission issued an order requiring Virginia Natural Gas to submit additional information by December 31, 2020 related to the financing plans of the project's primary customer before ruling on the December 2019 application. The ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time.