Company: SOJE
Filing Date: 2025-03-31
Form Type: PRE 14A
Source: 0000092122-25-000032
Chunk: 33

Company: SOUTHERN CO
Filing Date: 2025-03-31
Form: PRE 14A
Chunk 33
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 Committee and Audit Committee. This also includes periodic review of governmental relations activities by our internal auditing organization to assess compliance with applicable laws and Company policies and procedures, the findings of which are reported to our Audit Committee.

As part of our commitment to good governance, we regularly review our disclosures against best practices. We have also engaged with our stakeholders on this topic in recent years. In the Sustainability section of our website under Policy Engagement and Advocacy at investor.southerncompany.com , we provide the following political engagement and advocacy disclosures:

| 4We published a Trade Association and Climate Engagement Report to provide additional transparency by bringing together existing disclosures and providing analysis and insight into our net zero advocacy positions and memberships in trade associations, along with an assessment of whether the climate change statements or positions of key trade associations are aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. 
 4We describe the principles and public policy advocacy positions that are representative of the views we express in our engagements on climate-related matters.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
 4Our Report on Political Engagement Disclosures includes political contributions made by our subsidiaries and the lobbying dollars spent by trade associations that lobby at the state and federal level and to which our subsidiaries pay annual dues of $50,000 or more.                                                                                                                                              
 4Our Overview of Southern Company Policies and Practices for Political Engagement summarizes our approach to governance and oversight of these matters.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |

Our robust political engagement disclosures evidence our commitment to transparency, accountability and strong corporate governance. We were again recognized as a “Trendsetter” by the 2024 CPA-Zicklin Index of Corporate Political Disclosure and Accountability.

#### Succession Planning and Talent Development
Valuing and developing our people is a strategic priority for our Company. To support this priority, we engage in detailed discussions around succession planning and talent development at all levels within our organization. We have robust discussions and actions that occur throughout the year. The Board meets potential leaders at many levels across the organization through formal presentations and informal events on a regular basis.

The Compensation and Talent Development Committee oversees the development and implementation of succession plans for senior leadership positions.

4 The process starts with management undertaking a full internal review of performance and development of leaders across the organization.

4 Management presents and discusses with the Compensation and Talent Development Committee its evaluation and recommendations for senior leadership succession regularly throughout the year. This review includes an assessment of the current readiness of potential successors and development actions necessary for identified individuals.

4 The Compensation and Talent Development Committee updates the Board on these discussions.

The Compensation and Talent Development Committee is also regularly updated on