POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, a director of The Southern Company, hereby makes, constitutes,
and appoints Melissa K. Caen, G. Edison Holland, Jr., and Patricia L. Roberts,
my agents and attorneys-in-fact, for the limited purpose of signing on my
behalf, and causing to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Form
ID and Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership of Securities, Statement of
Changes in Beneficial Ownership, and Annual Statement of Changes in Beneficial
Ownership, on Forms 3, 4, and 5, respectively, and any appropriate amendment or
amendments thereto.

This power of attorney shall remain in effect until my obligation to file the
aforementioned reports as a director of The Southern Company ceases, unless
earlier revoked by me by written document delivered to the Corporate Secretary
of The Southern Company.

	Effective the 20th day of May, 2010.



		/S/
	Larry D. Thompson