What is the main purpose of this 8-K filing?

The main purpose of this 8-K filing is to provide investors with a monthly status report for Mississippi Power's Kemper County Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Project, submitted to the Mississippi Public Service Commission. It also serves as a channel for the company to disclose forward-looking information about the project's cost and schedule, along with associated risks.

Are the cost and schedule projections for the Kemper IGCC project guaranteed?

No, the cost and schedule projections for the Kemper IGCC project are not guaranteed. Southern Company and Mississippi Power explicitly state that these are forward-looking statements and that actual results could differ materially due to a wide range of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the companies' control.

What are some of the major risks mentioned that could affect the Kemper IGCC project?

Major risks mentioned include potential federal and state regulatory changes, ongoing or future litigation and investigations, fluctuations in fuel costs, challenges in controlling construction costs and avoiding overruns (due to labor, weather, material shortages, engineering issues), difficulties in obtaining permits and meeting operational standards, and the outcome of regulatory reviews concerning cost recovery and project approvals.

Does this filing mean Southern Company is officially releasing new financial data for Section 18 of the Exchange Act?

No, the filing explicitly states that the information, including the exhibit, shall not be deemed 'filed' for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This means the company is not assuming the liabilities associated with officially filing that information under that specific section.

SOUTHERN CO 8-K: Regulation FD

Summary

This Current Report on Form 8-K, filed by Southern Company (SO) on June 30, 2013, primarily concerns the Mississippi Power Company's Kemper County Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle Project. The report furnishes a monthly status update (through May 2013) submitted to the Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC) as an exhibit. Investors should note that this filing is for informational purposes and does not alter the company's public filings under Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act or the Securities Act. The core of the filing is the disclosure of the Kemper IGCC project's status, which includes forward-looking statements regarding its projected cost and completion schedule. Southern Company and Mississippi Power explicitly caution that actual results may differ materially from these projections due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. These include regulatory changes, litigation, fuel costs, construction challenges (labor, materials, weather, engineering issues), permitting, operational standards, advances in technology, rate regulations, and the outcomes of various regulatory reviews and potential sales of project interests. Investors are advised to consider these risks carefully and not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements.

Key Highlights

1Filing provides the May 2013 monthly status report for Mississippi Power's Kemper County Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Project.
2The report was submitted to the Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC) and is furnished as an exhibit.
3The filing contains forward-looking statements regarding the projected cost and schedule of the Kemper IGCC project.
4Southern Company and Mississippi Power warn that actual results could differ materially from projections due to numerous risks and uncertainties.
5Key risk factors include regulatory changes, litigation, construction cost overruns, labor and material issues, and permitting challenges.
6The company explicitly disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking information.
7This filing is primarily for informational disclosure and is not deemed 'filed' for Section 18 liability purposes.

SOUTHERN CO 8-K Report, Regulation FD Disclosure (Jul 1, 2013)

Summary

Key Highlights

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