File No. 70-10186
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
FORM U-1
APPLICATION OR DECLARATION
under
The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935
THE SOUTHERN COMPANY
270 Peachtree Street, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
ALABAMA POWER COMPANY SOUTHERN COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC.
600 North 18th Street 555 Glenridge Connector, Suite 500
Birmingham, Alabama 35291 Atlanta, Georgia 30342
GEORGIA POWER COMPANY SOUTHERN COMPANY CAPITAL FUNDING, INC.
241 Ralph McGill Boulevard, N.E. 1403 Foulk Road, Suite 102
Atlanta, Georgia 30308 Wilmington, Delaware 19803
GULF POWER COMPANY SOUTHERN COMPANY ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
One Energy Place 241 Ralph McGill Boulevard, N.E.
Pensacola, Florida 32520 Atlanta, Georgia 30308
MISSISSIPPI POWER COMPANY SOUTHERN COMPANY SERVICES, INC.
2992 West Beach 241 Ralph McGill Boulevard, N.E.
Gulfport, Mississippi 39501 Atlanta, Georgia 30308
SAVANNAH ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY SOUTHERN NUCLEAR OPERATING COMPANY, INC.
600 East Bay Street 40 Inverness Center Parkway
Savannah, Georgia 31401 Birmingham, Alabama 35242
(Name of company or companies filing this statement
and addresses of principal executive offices)
THE SOUTHERN COMPANY
(Name of top registered holding company parent of each
applicant or declarant)
Tommy Chisholm, Secretary
The Southern Company
270 Peachtree Street, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
William E. Zales, Jr., Vice President Tommy Chisholm, Secretary
and Corporate Secretary Southern Communications Services, Inc.
Alabama Power Company 5555 Glenridge Connector, Suite 500
600 North 18th Street Atlanta, Georgia 30342
Birmingham, Alabama 35291
Janice G. Wolfe, Corporate Secretary Daniel P. McCollom, Secretary
Georgia Power Company Southern Company Capital Funding, Inc.
241 Ralph McGill Boulevard, N.E. 1403 Foulk Road, Suite 102
Atlanta, Georgia 30308 Wilmington, Delaware 19803
Susan N. Ritenour, Secretary and Treasurer Tommy Chisholm, Vice President and Secretary
Gulf Power Company Southern Company Energy Solutions, Inc.
One Energy Place 241 Ralph McGill Boulevard, N.E.
Pensacola, Florida 32520 Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Vicki L. Pierce, Corporate Secretary Tommy Chisholm, Vice President and Secretary
2992 West Beach Southern Company Services, Inc.
Gulfport, Mississippi 39501 241 Ralph McGill Boulevard, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Nancy E. Frankenhauser, Corporate Secretary Sherry A. Mitchell, Corporate Secretary
Savannah Electric and Power Company Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.
600 East Bay Street 40 Inverness Center Parkway
Savannah, Georgia 31401 Birmingham, Alabama 35242
(Names and addresses of agents for service)
The Commission is requested to mail signed copies of all orders,
notices and communications to:
Thomas A. Fanning John D. McLanahan, Esq.
Executive Vice President, Treasurer Troutman Sanders LLP
and Chief Financial Officer 600 Peachtree Street, N.E.
The Southern Company Suite 5200
270 Peachtree Street, N.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30308-2216
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
The Application in the foregoing file is amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:
Item 1. Description of Proposed Transactions.
1.1 Introduction.
This Application seeks a renewal and extension of certain existing
authorizations with respect to the ongoing financing activities of The Southern
Company ("Southern").
1.2 Description of Southern and its Subsidiaries and Existing Financing
Authority.
Southern is a registered holding company under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended (the "Act"). Its public utility
subsidiaries include Alabama Power Company, Georgia Power Company, Gulf Power
Company, Mississippi Power Company and Savannah Electric and Power Company
(collectively, the "Retail Operating Companies"). Alabama Power Company and
Georgia Power Company each owns 50% of the outstanding common stock of Southern
Electric Generating Company ("SEGCO"), which is also an operating public utility
company. In addition, Southern owns all of the common stock of Southern Power
Company ("Southern Power"), which is also an operating public utility company.
Southern also owns all the outstanding common stock of Southern Communications
Services, Inc., Southern Company Gas LLC, Southern Nuclear Operating Company,
Inc., Southern Company Services, Inc. ("SCS"), Southern Management Development,
Inc., Southern Telecom, Inc. and Southern Company Holdings, Inc. (collectively,
the "Other Subsidiaries").
Southern also indirectly owns all of the outstanding shares of common
stock of Southern Company Capital Funding, Inc. ("Capital Funding"). Capital
Funding was organized under the laws of Delaware on January 24, 1997 and was
authorized to be formed as a financing subsidiary pursuant to an order dated
February 9, 2000 in File No. 70-9335 (HCAR No. 35-27134). Capital Funding is the
only finance subsidiary (other than trusts formed by Capital Funding to issue
trust preferred securities) that has been formed pursuant to the authority
granted in HCAR No. 35-27134. The business of Capital Funding is limited to
effecting financing transactions for Southern. In connection with such financing
transactions, Southern may enter into one or more guarantee or credit support
agreements in favor of Capital Funding. Capital Funding will be the only
financing subsidiary on behalf of Southern that will issue Long-term Debt (as
defined in Section 1.7 below), debt obligations related to Preferred Securities,
Preferred Stock and Equity-linked Securities (each as defined in Section 1.7
below). Southern or Capital Funding may create trusts or other financing
subsidiaries to issue Preferred Securities.
In addition to the Retail Operating Companies, SEGCO, Southern Power
and the Other Subsidiaries, Southern also engages through other direct and
indirect subsidiaries in various other energy-related and non-utility
businesses.
1.3 Financing Authorization.
By an order dated December 27, 2000 in File No. 70-8277 (HCAR No.
35-27323), Southern is authorized to issue and sell from time to time in one or
more transactions, through September 30, 2004, up to 35 million shares of its
authorized but unissued common stock, $5 par value (the "Common Stock")
(pursuant to which no shares have been issued as of May 17, 2004) (the "December
2000 Order").1 By an order dated March 28, 2001 in File No. 70-8789 (HCAR No.
35-27367), Southern is authorized to issue and sell from time to time through
December 31, 2004 short-term and/or term loan notes and/or commercial paper in
an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2 billion outstanding at any time
(pursuant to which $293 million was outstanding as of May 17, 2004) (the "March
2001 Order"). By an order dated December 22, 1999 in File No. 70-9557 (HCAR No.
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35-27118), Southern is authorized to issue and sell up to 88 million shares of
Common Stock under its Southern Investment Plan, its Employee Savings Plan and
its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (each as defined below in Section 1.7) through
September 30, 2004 (the "December 1999 Order").2 By an order dated October 8,
1999 in File No. 70-8961 (HCAR No. 35-27082), Southern was authorized to
guarantee the debt or other obligations of SCS, for an aggregate principal
amount up to $160 million at any time outstanding through June 30, 2004
(pursuant to which $120 million was outstanding as of May 17, 2004) (the
"October 1999 Order").3 By an order dated February 9, 2000 in File No. 70-9335
(HCAR No. 35-27134), Southern and Capital Funding were authorized to issue and
sell from time to time in one or more transactions, through September 30, 2003,
preferred securities and/or notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$1.5 billion (the "February 2000 Order" and, together with the December 2000
Order, the March 2001 Order, the December 1999 Order and the October 1999 Order,
collectively, the "Financing Orders").
1.4 Summary of Requested Approvals.
The applicant-declarants propose herein to amend and restate their
current financing authorizations, as contained in the Financing Orders, for the
period commencing with the effective date of the Commission's order in this
proceeding and ending June 30, 2007 (the "Authorization Period"). Upon the
effective date of the Commission's order in this proceeding, the
applicant-declarants will relinquish their authority to issue securities and
engage in the other transactions authorized under the Financing Orders.
_______________________
1 Southern is authorized under its charter to issue up to 1 billion shares of
Common Stock. Capital Funding is authorized under its charter to issue up
to 1,000 shares of its common stock.
2 As of May 1, 2004, Southern has issued 61 million shares pursuant to the
December 1999 Order.
3 Pursuant to an order dated October 11, 2000 in File No. 70-9035 (HCAR No.
35-27246), Southern has existing authority to issue up to 40 million shares
of Common Stock in accordance with the Southern Company Performance Stock
Plan through February 17, 2007. Pursuant to an order dated June 7, 2001 in
File No. 70-9869 (HCAR No. 35-27416), Southern has existing authority to
issue up to 30 million shares of Common Stock in accordance with the
Southern Company Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan through May 22, 2011.
The authorization under these orders is not being renewed pursuant to this
filing.
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Specifically, the applicant-declarants request authorization for the
following transactions during the Authorization Period:
1. Southern and Capital Funding request authority to issue and sell from
time to time, directly, Preferred Stock and, directly or indirectly
through one or more financing subsidiaries, Preferred Securities
(including without limitation trust preferred securities),
Equity-linked Securities and/or Long-term Debt in an aggregate amount
not to exceed $1.5 billion. Any such securities issued by Capital
Funding (or other financing subsidiary for Preferred Securities) or a
trust may be guaranteed by Southern. Any such securities may be
convertible into Common Stock of Southern, provided that the value of
Common Stock issuable upon such conversions may not exceed $2 billion
in the aggregate.
2. Southern requests authority to issue and sell from time to time up to
35 million shares of Common Stock.
3. Southern requests authority to issue up to 85 million shares of Common
Stock pursuant to its Employee Savings Plan, its Employee Stock
Ownership Plan and its Southern Investment Plan, or other similar
stock-based plans adopted in the future (collectively, the "Plans"),
such shares to be in addition to any shares of Common Stock issued
under the authority requested in (1) and (2) above. The Employing
Companies (as defined below in Section 1.7) request authority to
purchase Common Stock pursuant to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
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4. Southern requests authority to issue and sell from time to time notes
to effect short-term and term loan and commercial paper borrowings in
an amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $3 billion.
5. Southern requests authority to provide guarantees on behalf or for the
benefit of SCS in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $330
million at any time outstanding.
1.5 Parameters Applicable to Authorized Financing Transactions.
The following general terms will be applicable where appropriate to the
proposed external financing activities requested to be authorized hereby:
Effective Cost of Money. The effective cost of capital on Long-term
Debt, Preferred Stock, Preferred Securities, Equity-linked Securities,
Short-term and Term Loan Notes and Commercial Paper (each as defined in Section
1.7) will not exceed competitive market rates available at the time of issuance
for securities having the same or reasonably similar terms and conditions issued
by similar companies of reasonably comparable credit quality; provided that in
no event will the effective cost of capital (i) on any series of Long-term Debt
exceed 700 basis points over a U.S. Treasury security having a remaining term
equal to the term of such series, (ii) on any series of Short-term and Term Loan
Notes or Commercial Paper exceed 700 basis points over the London Interbank
Offered Rate for maturities of less than one year and (iii) on any series of
Preferred Stock, Preferred Securities or Equity-linked Securities exceed 700
basis points over a U.S. treasury security having a remaining term equal to the
term of such series.
Maturity. The maturity of Long-term Debt and Preferred Securities will
be between one and 50 years after the issuance thereof. Equity-linked Securities
will be redeemed or mature no later than 50 years after the issuance thereof,
unless converted into Common Stock. Preferred Stock will be redeemed no later
than 50 years, unless it is perpetual in duration.
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Issuance Expenses. The underwriting fees, commissions or other similar
remuneration paid in connection with the non-competitive issue, sale or
distribution of (i) Long-term Debt and Short-term and Term Loan Notes will not
exceed 7% of the principal or total amount of the securities being issued and
(ii) Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Preferred Securities or Equity-linked
Securities will not exceed 7% of the principal or total amount of the securities
being issued. No commission or fee will be payable in connection with the
issuance and sale of Commercial Paper, except for a commission, payable to the
dealer, not to exceed one-eighth of one percent per annum in respect of
Commercial Paper sold through the dealer as principal.
Common Equity Ratio. At all times during the Authorization Period, Southern
and the applicant-declarants that are public utility subsidiaries of Southern
each represents that it will maintain common equity ratio of at least thirty
percent of its consolidated capitalization (common equity, preferred stock and
long-term and short-term debt) as reflected in its most recent Form 10-K or Form
10-Q filed with the Commission adjusted to reflect changes in capitalization
since the balance sheet date, unless otherwise authorized.
Investment Grade Ratings. Southern and Capital Funding further
represent that no guarantees or securities, other than Common Stock, Commercial
Paper or short-term bank debt (with a maturity of one year or less), may be
issued in reliance upon the authorization granted by the Commission pursuant to
this Application, unless upon original issuance thereof (i) the security to be
issued, if rated, is rated investment grade; (ii) all outstanding securities of
the issuer that are rated are rated investment grade; and (iii) all outstanding
securities of Southern that are rated are rated investment grade. For purposes
of this provision, a security will be deemed to be rated "investment grade" if
it is rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical
rating organization, as that term is used in paragraphs (c)(2)(vi)(E), (F) and
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(H) of Rule 15c3-1 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Southern and Capital Funding also request the Commission to reserve jurisdiction
over the issuance of any guarantees or securities that do not satisfy these
conditions.
Authorization Period. No security will be issued pursuant to the
authorization sought herein after the last day of the Authorization Period (June
30, 2007).
Security Ratings. The ratings of the securities issued by Southern and
Capital Funding are as follows:
Southern Senior Unsecured Debt Moody's: A3 S&P: A-
Southern Commercial Paper, Short-Term Moody's: P1 S&P: A1
Capital Funding Senior Unsecured Debt Moody's: A3 S&P: A-
1.6 Use of Proceeds.
The proceeds from the sale of the securities authorized hereunder,
including the Long-term Debt, the Short-term and Term Loan Notes, the Commercial
Paper, the Preferred Stock, the Preferred Securities and the Common Stock,
including the Common Stock sold pursuant to the Plans, will be used by Southern
for general corporate purposes, to acquire the securities of associate companies
and to acquire interests in other businesses, as permitted under the Act,
including interests in "exempt wholesale generators" ("EWGs"), "energy related
companies" under Rule 58 and "foreign utility companies" ("FUCOs"), in
transactions permitted under Act, and for other lawful purposes. However, no
proceeds will be used to acquire interests in other businesses or the securities
of associate companies unless the financing is consummated in accordance with
Commission order or is exempt from the Act. Southern does not seek in this
proceeding any increase in the amount it is permitted to invest in EWGs and
FUCOs. The proceeds of any financing by Capital Funding will be remitted, paid
as a dividend, loaned or otherwise transferred to Southern or its designee. The
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proceeds realized by SCS from borrowings guaranteed by Southern will be used to
fund the general requirements of the business of SCS, including the possible
refunding of outstanding indebtedness.
1.7 Description of Specific Financing Proposals.
1. Common Stock. Southern request authority to issue and sell up to 35
million shares of Common Stock in ordinary regular-way transactions in the
auction market on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, or any regional
exchange on which Southern's Common Stock may be admitted to trading privilege,
in block transactions on such exchanges or in the over-the-counter market, in
which a broker or dealer may act as a principal for its own account and in
"fixed-price offerings" off the floor of such exchanges, or "special offerings"
and "exchange distributions" in accordance with the rules of such exchanges.
Public distributions may be pursuant to private negotiations with underwriters,
dealers or agents, or effected through competitive bidding among underwriters.
In addition, sales may be made through private placements or other non-public
offerings to one or more persons. The sale of the Common Stock will be made at
market prices prevailing at the time of sale in the case of transactions on
exchanges and at prices negotiated by the broker or dealer and related to
prevailing market prices in the case of over-the-counter transactions.
2. Preferred Stock, Preferred Securities, Equity-linked Securities and
Long-term Debt. Southern and Capital Funding request authority to issue and sell
from time to time, directly, Preferred Stock and, directly or indirectly through
one or more financing subsidiaries, Preferred Securities (including without
limitation trust preferred securities), Equity-linked Securities and/or
Long-term Debt in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.5 billion. Any such
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securities may be convertible into Common Stock of Southern, provided that the
value of Common Stock issuable upon such conversions may not exceed $2 billion
in the aggregate.
Southern and Capital Funding wish to have the flexibility to issue,
directly or indirectly through one or more statutory or business trusts or any
other finance subsidiary, preferred securities (including, without limitation,
trust preferred securities) (the "Preferred Securities"). Preferred Securities
may be issued in one or more series with such rights, preferences and priorities
as may be designated in the instrument creating each such series, as determined
by the board of directors of Southern or Capital Funding, as applicable.
Dividends or distributions on such securities will be made periodically and to
the extent funds are legally available for such purpose, but may be made subject
to terms which allow the issuer to defer dividend payments for specified
periods. Southern would guarantee certain payments made by any trust or other
finance subsidiary and associated with the Preferred Securities. Southern
expects that the Preferred Securities would be issued using up to two different
types of special purpose subsidiaries. One or more subsidiaries (each a
"Financing Subsidiary") would issue the Preferred Securities. These subsidiaries
would be established by Southern and/or Capital Funding that Southern would use
to hold interests in one or more of the Finance Subsidiaries.4 A Financing
Subsidiary would lend, dividend or otherwise transfer to Capital Funding or
Southern, as applicable, the proceeds of the Preferred Securities it issues,
____________________________
4 In the event that a Financing Subsidiary is organized as a limited
liability company, Southern or Capital Funding may also organize a second
special purpose subsidiary under Delaware or other state law ("Investment
Subsidiary") to acquire and hold Financing Subsidiary membership interests,
so as to comply with any requirement under any applicable law that a
limited liability company have at least two members. Similarly, in the
event that any Financing Subsidiary is organized as a limited partnership,
an Investment Subsidiary may be organized to act as the general partner of
the Financing Subsidiary. If a Financing Subsidiary is organized as a
limited partnership, Southern may acquire, directly or indirectly through
the Investment Subsidiary, a limited partnership interest in the Financing
Subsidiary, in order to ensure that the Financing Subsidiary will have a
limited partner to the extent required by applicable law.
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together with the equity contributed to the Financing Subsidiary. In turn,
Capital Funding would lend, 5 dividend or otherwise transfer directly or
indirectly the proceeds to Southern. Southern or Capital Funding would issue
guarantees6 related to: (a) payment of dividends or distributions on the
Preferred Securities of any Financing Subsidiary, if, and to the extent that,
the Financing Subsidiary has funds legally available for this purpose; (b)
payments to holders of the Preferred Securities of amounts due upon liquidation
of the Financing Subsidiary or redemption of its Preferred Securities; and (c)
certain additional amounts that may be payable in respect of the Preferred
Securities. In connection with the issuance of Preferred Securities, Southern
proposes to organize one or more separate subsidiaries as a statutory trust or
trusts of the State of Delaware or other comparable trust in any jurisdiction
considered advantageous by Southern or any other entity or structure, foreign or
domestic, that is considered advantageous by Southern. Southern requests that
the Commission reserve jurisdiction over the use of a foreign entity as a
Financing Subsidiary.
Southern and Capital Funding propose that, in addition to, or as an
alternative to, any Preferred Securities financing as described hereinabove,
Southern or Capital Funding may issue and sell notes directly to investors. It
is proposed that any notes so issued will be unsecured, may be either senior or
subordinated obligations of Southern or Capital Funding, as the case may be, may
be convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock of Southern or Preferred Stock
and may have the benefit of a sinking fund (the "Long-term Debt"). Long-term
Debt of Capital Funding will have the benefit of a guarantee or other credit
support by Southern and may be subject to redemption or remarketing or a put
option. Southern or Capital Funding will not issue Long-term Debt unless it has
evaluated all relevant financial considerations (including, without limitation,
_______________________
5 The terms of any loan to Southern of the proceeds from the issuance of
Preferred Securities would mirror the terms of those Preferred Securities.
6 Guarantees issued by Capital Funding would in turn be supported by
Southern's own credit.
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the cost of equity capital) and has determined that to do so is preferable to
issuing Southern Common Stock or short-term debt.
It is proposed that Southern or Capital Funding may issue and sell from
time to time shares of its preferred stock (the "Preferred Stock"). Any such
issue of Preferred Stock will have a specified par or stated value per share
and, in accordance with applicable state law, will have such voting powers (if
any), designations, preferences, rights and qualifications, limitations or
restrictions as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions
providing for such issue adopted by the board of directors of Southern or
Capital Funding, as the case may be, pursuant to authority vested in it by the
provisions of its certificate of incorporation. The foregoing may include rights
of conversion or exchange into Common Stock of Southern.
Southern or Capital Funding may also issue and sell equity-linked
securities, typically in the form of stock purchase units, which combine a
security with a fixed obligation (e.g., Long-term Debt, Preferred Securities,
Preferred Stock or other debt obligations of third parties, including U.S.
Treasury securities) with a stock purchase contract that is exercisable (either
mandatorily or at the option of the holder) within a relatively short period
(e.g., one to six years after issuance) ("Equity-linked Securities"). Any such
securities issued by Capital Funding or a trust or other finance subsidiary may
be guaranteed by Southern. In addition, Southern proposes to issue and sell
stock purchase contracts ("Stock Purchase Contracts") issued either separately
or as part of units ("Stock Purchase Units"). The Stock Purchase Units would
consist of (a) Stock Purchase Contracts and (b) Preferred Securities, Long-term
Debt and/or debt obligations of third parties.
3. Short-term and Term Loan Notes and Commercial Paper. Southern
proposes to issue and sell from time to time unsecured short-term and term loan
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notes ("Short-term and Term Loan Notes") and commercial paper ("Commercial
Paper") in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed
$3 billion. Short-term and Term Loan Notes and Commercial Paper may include
commercial paper notes, bank notes and other forms of short-term indebtedness.
Southern proposes to effect Short-term and Term Loan Note borrowings from one or
more lending institutions. These borrowings will be evidenced by short-term
and/or term loan notes, dated as of the date of the borrowings, and maturing not
more than seven years after the date of issue, or "grid" short-term and/or long
term notes, evidencing all outstanding borrowings from each lender, dated as of
the date of the initial borrowings, and maturing not more than seven years after
the date of issue. Southern proposes to issue Commercial Paper in the form of
promissory notes with varying maturities not to exceed one year. These
maturities may be subject to extension to a final maturity not to exceed 390
days. Actual maturities will be determined by market conditions, the effective
interest costs and Southern's anticipated cash flow, including the proceeds of
other borrowings, at the time of issuance.
4. Common Stock issued under Stock-based Plans. In addition to the
foregoing, Southern also proposes to issue up to 85 million shares of Common
Stock under the Plans. Currently, Southern maintains the following Plans:
|X| Southern Investment Plan. The Southern Investment Plan (the "SIP")
provides shareholders of record of Southern's Common Stock with a means of
purchasing additional shares through the reinvestment of cash dividends and/or
through optional cash payments. In addition, the SIP has a direct purchase
feature that enables other eligible investors to become participants by making
initial cash payments for the purchase of Common Stock. Shares of Common Stock
are purchased under the SIP, at the option of Southern, from newly issued shares
or shares purchased on the open market. The price per share for shares purchased
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on the open market will be the weighted average price paid to acquire the
shares, excluding broker commissions. When shares are purchased from Southern
using cash dividends, the price per share generally will be equal to the average
of the high and low sale prices on the dividend payment date. When shares are
purchased from Southern with the investor's cash payments, the price per share
generally will be equal to the average of the high and low sale prices on the
10th or 25th of each month, as applicable.
|X| Employee Savings Plan. Under the Employee Savings Plan (the "Savings
Plan"), each employee of Southern's subsidiaries may generally contribute a
certain percentage of his or her compensation to an account administered on his
or her behalf under the Savings Plan. These funds, together with funds
contributed by the employer, would be invested in one or more of several funds,
including a Southern Company Stock Fund consisting of Southern's Common Stock.
Investment purchases for the funds may be made either on the open market or by
private purchase, provided that no private purchase may be made of Common Stock
of Southern at a price greater than the last sale price or the highest current
independent bid price, whichever is higher, for the stock on the New York Stock
Exchange, plus any applicable commission. In addition, Common Stock of Southern
may be purchased directly from Southern under the SIP or under any similar plan
made available to holders of record of shares of Common Stock of Southern, at
the purchase price provided for in that plan.
|X| Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The purpose of the Employee Stock
Ownership Plan (the "ESOP") is to enable eligible employees of SCS and other
affiliates or subsidiaries of Southern that adopt the ESOP (the "Employing
Companies") to share in the future of Southern, to provide participants with an
opportunity to accumulate capital for their future economic security and to
enable participants to acquire Southern Common Stock. All of the
applicant-declarants except for Capital Funding are currently Employing
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Companies. The ESOP permits the Employing Companies to contribute cash or Common
Stock in an amount or under a formula that SCS will determine in its sole and
absolute discretion. Cash contributions would be used to purchase Common Stock
at market value, as determined by SCS. Cash dividends paid on the contributed
Common Stock allocated to participating employees' accounts generally would be
reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, unless the employee elects to
have the dividends distributed to him.
5. Guarantees. SCS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern. SCS
provides certain services for Southern and its associate companies in the
Southern electric system pursuant to authorization of the Commission.
Southern proposes that it may guarantee indebtedness or other
obligations incurred by SCS, as described herein, in an aggregate amount not to
exceed $330 million at any time outstanding. Southern hereby requests authority
for such guarantees. The transactions by SCS referred to herein do not require
Commission approval.
SCS may issue and sell new notes (the "Proposed Notes") to a lender or
lenders other than Southern. The Proposed Notes would be issued pursuant to an
agreement or agreements with such lender or lenders and may be guaranteed by
Southern as to principal, premium, if any, and interest. The Proposed Notes may
have terms of up to 50 years, contain sinking funds and bear interest at a rate
or rates not to exceed 700 basis points per annum over the rate for United
States Treasury securities of corresponding maturity at the time the lender or
lenders commit to purchase the particular issue. SCS may engage an agent to
place the Proposed Notes for a commission based upon the principal amount
borrowed.
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SCS also may effect short-term or term-loan borrowings under one or
more revolving credit commitment agreements. Short-term borrowings under such
agreement or agreements would have a maximum maturity of one year; term loans
would have maturities up to 10 years. It is expected that the borrowings would
be evidenced by a "grid" promissory note to be dated the date of the initial
borrowing and the date of each borrowing thereafter when a "grid" short-term or
term-loan note, as the case may be, is not outstanding. Such borrowings would
bear interest at rates to be negotiated with the lending financial institution
or institutions. In addition, it is expected that SCS will be obligated to pay
fees in connection with the credit arrangements. Such interest rates and fees
will be negotiated based upon prevailing market conditions.
SCS also may effect borrowings from certain banks and other
institutions. Such institutional borrowings will be evidenced by notes to be
dated as of the date of such borrowings and to mature in not more than 10 years
after the date of borrowing or by "grid" notes evidencing all outstanding
borrowings from each lender to be dated as of the date of the initial borrowing
and to mature in not more than 10 years after the date of borrowing. Generally,
borrowings will be prepayable in whole, or in part, without penalty or premium,
and will be at rates to be negotiated with the lending institutions based upon
prevailing market conditions. SCS also may negotiate separate rates for, and/or
agree not to prepay, particular borrowings if it is considered more favorable to
SCS.
Southern further proposes that it may guarantee obligations incurred
by SCS in connection with installment purchases, sale-leasebacks, leases or
other acquisitions of equipment or other assets.
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1.8 Certificate of Notification.
Southern will file, on a quarterly basis corresponding with the
periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the following information in accordance with Rule 24 under the Act: (i)
the amount and type of securities, including guarantees, sold during the
quarter; (ii) a statement describing the uses for the proceeds of the securities
issued; (iii) a statement describing the equity ratio of Southern at the end of
the quarter and the effect of the securities issued during that quarter on the
equity ratio, including dollar amounts and major components of total
capitalization; (iv) market-to-book ratio of Southern's Common Stock; (v) price
per share and number of shares of all stock (and market price at time of sale
agreement) issued pursuant to the order in connection herewith during the
Authorization Period; (vi) total number of shares issued under any of the Plans;
(vii) balance sheets of Capital Funding if engaged in financings pursuant to the
order in connection herewith; (viii) detail on guarantees issued pursuant to the
order in connection herewith; (ix) if stock is transferred to a seller of a
business being acquired, the number of shares, value and any restrictions; and
(x) information on variable interest entities formed with any financing proceeds
pursuant to the order in connection herewith. Southern will file Rule 24
certificates to notify the Commission of its issuances of securities that are
exempt under the rules and regulations of the Act.
Item 2. Fees, Commissions and Expenses.
The fees and expenses in connection with the proposed transactions
(other than those described in Item 1 hereof and other than underwriting
discounts and commissions) are estimated not to exceed $5,000,000. The
prospectus supplement relating to each offering of Common Stock, Long-term Debt,
Preferred Stock, Preferred Securities or Equity-linked Securities will reflect
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the actual expenses based upon the amount of the related offering.
Item 3. Applicable Statutory Provisions.
Southern considers that Sections 6(a), 7, 9(a), 10, 12(b), 12(c) and
12(f) of the Act and Rules 42, 45, 53 and 54 thereunder are applicable to the
proposed transactions. Any notes issued by SCS to evidence borrowings by it as
described herein will be exempt pursuant to Rule 52 under the Act. Other
transactions by SCS referred to herein will be in the routine course of its
business and not subject to Commission approval. Southern considers that the
proposed issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plans are subject to the
provisions of Sections 6(a) and 7 of the Act and Rules 53 and 54 thereunder.
Southern considers that any purchases of Southern's Common Stock by the
Employing Companies pursuant to the ESOP prior to contributing such stock to the
trust established pursuant to the ESOP are subject to the provisions of Sections
9(a) and 10 of the Act. The proposed transactions will be carried out in
accordance with the procedure specified in Rule 23 and pursuant to an order of
the Commission with respect thereto.
Rule 53 Analysis. The proposed transactions are subject to Rule 53,
which provides that, in determining whether to approve the issue or sale of a
security for purposes of financing the acquisition of an "exempt wholesale
generator" ("EWG") or "foreign utility company" ("FUCO"), as those terms are
defined in sections 32 and 33, respectively, of the Act, the Commission shall
not make certain adverse findings if the conditions set forth in Rule 53(a)(1)
through (a)(4) are met, and are not otherwise made inapplicable by reason of the
existence of any of the circumstances described in Rule 53(b).
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Southern currently meets all of the conditions of Rule 53(a). At March
31, 2004, Southern's "aggregate investment," as defined in Rule 53(a)(1), in
EWGs and FUCOs was approximately $244 million, or about 4.57% of Southern's
"consolidated retained earnings," also as defined in Rule 53(a)(1), as of March
31, 2004 ($5.336 billion).7
With respect to Rule 53(a)(1), however, the Commission has determined
that Southern's financing of investments in EWGs and FUCOs in an amount greater
than the amount that would otherwise be allowed by Rule 53(a)(1) would not have
either of the adverse effects set forth in Rule 53(c). See The Southern Company,
Holding Company Act Release No. 26501, dated April 1, 1996 (the "Rule 53(c)
Order"); and Holding Company Act Release No. 26646, dated January 15, 1997
(order denying request for reconsideration and motion to stay). The Rule 53(c)
Order allows Southern to invest 100% of its consolidated retained earnings in
EWGs and FUCOs.
In addition, Southern has complied and will continue to comply with the
record-keeping requirements of Rule 53(a)(2), the limitation under Rule 53(a)(3)
on the use of operating company personnel to render services to EWGs and FUCOs
and the requirements of Rule 53(a)(4) concerning the submission of copies of
certain filings under the Act to retail rate regulatory commissions. Further,
none of the circumstances described in Rule 53(b) has occurred.
______________________________
7 Although Southern owns all of the equity in four indirect subsidiaries (EPZ
Lease, Inc., Dutch Gas Lease, Inc., GAMOG Lease, Inc. and NUON Lease,
Inc.), Southern has no direct or indirect investment or any aggregate
investment within the meaning of Rule 53 in these FUCOs, including any
direct or indirect guarantees or credit positions related to any capital or
financing leases. (See Southern's application on Form U-1, File No.
70-9727, for further information.) Southern has executed limited keep-well
commitments whereby Southern would be required to make capital
contributions to SE Finance Capital Corp. II, SE Finance Capital Corp. or
SE Finance Company, Inc. in the event of a shortfall in the scheduled debt
service resulting from certain changes in the payments due from Southern
under the Southern Company Income Tax Allocation Agreement. The maximum
potential capital contribution required under these commitments is the
unamortized balance of the related loans, which totaled approximately $380
million as of March 31, 2004.
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Item 4. Regulatory Approval.
No state commission and no federal commission (other than the Commission)
has jurisdiction over the proposed transactions.
Item 5. Procedure.
The applicant-declarants hereby request that the Commission's order be
issued as soon as the rules allow. The applicant-declarants hereby waive a
recommended decision by a hearing officer or other responsible officer of the
Commission, consent that the Division of Investment Management may assist in the
preparation of the Commission's decision and/or order in this matter, unless
such Division opposes the transactions proposed herein, and request that there
be no 30-day waiting period between the issuance of the Commission's order and
the date on which it is to become effective.
Item 6. Exhibits and Financial Statements.
(a) Exhibits
A-1 - Composite Certificate of Incorporation of Southern
reflecting all amendments thereto through January 5, 1994.
(Designated in Registration No. 33-3546 as Exhibit 4(a), in
Certificate of Notification, File No. 70-7341, as Exhibit A,
and in Certificate of Notification, File No. 70-8181, as
Exhibit A.)
A-2 - By-Laws of Southern as amended effective February 17, 2003
and presently in effect. (Designated in Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 2003, File No. 1-3526, as Exhibit
3(a)1.)
A-3 - Articles of Incorporation of Capital Funding dated January
24, 1997.
A-4 - Bylaws of Capital Funding effective January 24, 1997 and
presently in effect.
A-5 - Subordinated Note Indenture dated as of February 1, 1997,
among Southern, Capital Funding and Deutsche Bank Trust
Company Americas (formerly known as Bankers Trust Company),
as Trustee, and indentures supplemental thereto dated as of
February 4, 1997. (Designated in Registration No. 333-28349
as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 and 333-28355 as Exhibit 4.2.)
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A-6 - Subordinated Note Indenture dated as of June 1, 1997,
among Southern, Capital Funding and Deutsche Bank Trust
Company Americas (formerly known as Bankers Trust Company),
as Trustee, and indentures supplemental thereto through July
31, 2002. (Designated in Southern's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1997, File No. 1-3526, as Exhibit
(4)(a)2, in Form 8-K dated June 18, 1998, File No. 1-3526,
as Exhibit 4.2, in Form 8-K dated December 18, 1998, File
No. 1-3526, as Exhibit 4.4 and in Form 8-K dated July 24,
2002, File No. 1-3526, as Exhibit 4.4.)
A-7 - Senior Note Indenture dated as of February 1, 2002, among
Southern, Capital Funding and The Bank of New York, as
Trustee, and indentures supplemental thereto through those
dated February 1, 2002. (Designated in Form 8-K dated
January 29, 2002, File No. 1-3526, as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2
and in Form 8-K dated January 30, 2002, File No. 1-3526, as
Exhibit 4.2.)
A-8 - Fifth Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Facility by and
among Southern and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative
Agent, Barclays Bank PLC and Commerzbank AG, New York and
Grand Cayman Branches, as Co-Syndication Agents, The Bank of
Nova Scotia and Mizuho Financial Group, as Co-Documentation
Agents, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Bank One, NA (Main
Office-Chicago), Citibank, N.A., Wachovia Bank, National
Association, and ING Capital LLC., as Co-Senior Managing
Agents and Banc of America Securities LLC and Barclays
Capital, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers
dated as of June 13, 2003 (to be filed confidentially
pursuant to Rule 104.)
F - Opinion of Troutman Sanders LLP.**
G - Form of Notice.*
I - Projected Cash Flow Summary of Southern for years 2004-07
(Filed confidentially pursuant to Rule 104).**
J - Projected Capitalization of Southern for years 2004-07
(Filed confidentially pursuant to Rule 104).**
* Previously filed.
** To be filed by amendment.
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Exhibits heretofore filed with the Commission and designated as set
forth above are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof
with the same effect as if filed herewith.
(b) Financial Statements.
Consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statements of
capitalization, stockholders' equity and comprehensive income
of Southern at March 31, 2004. (Designated in Southern's Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, File No. 1-3526.)
Statements of income and cash flows of Southern for the
quarter ended March 31, 2004. (Designated in Southern's Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, File No. 1-3526.)
Since March 31, 2004, there have been no material adverse changes, not
in the ordinary course of business, in the financial condition of Southern from
that set forth in or contemplated by the foregoing financial statements.
Item 7. Information as to Environmental Effects.
a) As described in Item 1, the proposed transactions are of a routine
and strictly financial nature in the ordinary course of the
applicant-declarants' businesses. Accordingly, the Commission's action in this
matter will not constitute any major federal action significantly affecting the
quality of the human environment.
b) No other federal agency has prepared or is preparing an
environmental impact statement with regard to the proposed transactions.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company Act
of 1935, each of the undersigned companies has duly caused this amendment to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: June 2, 2004 THE SOUTHERN COMPANY
By: /s/Tommy Chisholm
Tommy Chisholm
Secretary
ALABAMA POWER COMPANY
By: /s/Wayne Boston
Wayne Boston
Assistant Secretary
GEORGIA POWER COMPANY
By: /s/Wayne Boston
Wayne Boston
Assistant Secretary
GULF POWER COMPANY
By: /s/Wayne Boston
Wayne Boston
Assistant Secretary
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MISSISSIPPI POWER COMPANY
By: /s/Wayne Boston
Wayne Boston
Assistant Secretary
SAVANNAH ELECTRIC AND
POWER COMPANY
By: /s/Wayne Boston
Wayne Boston
Assistant Secretary
SOUTHERN COMMUNICATIONS
SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/Tommy Chisholm
Tommy Chisholm
Secretary
SOUTHERN COMPANY CAPITAL
FUNDING, INC.
By: /s/Wayne Boston
Wayne Boston
Assistant Secretary
SOUTHERN COMPANY ENERGY
SOLUTIONS, INC.
By: /s/Tommy Chisholm
Tommy Chisholm
Vice President and
Secretary
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SOUTHERN COMPANY SERVICES,
INC.
By: /s/Tommy Chisholm
Tommy Chisholm
Vice President and
Secretary
SOUTHERN NUCLEAR OPERATING
COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/Wayne Boston
Wayne Boston
Assistant Secretary
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