- Southern Co. (SO -0.6%) CEO Tom Fanning tells CNBC the company now derives 48% of its energy from natural gas vs. 16% five years ago, has reduced its coal mix to 32% from 70%, and is "leading the renaissance of nuclear [energy] in America."
- SO's clean coal technology actually is cleaner than natural gas from a carbon footprint standpoint, the CEO says, believing the technology has applications in China and eastern Europe.
- SO is one of the biggest investors in solar energy in the U.S., but Fanning concedes that the tax benefits from the government make the economics of using solar work, and "without the tax benefits, it's not as competitive for sure."