Document:

Exhibit 10.1
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into on
the 22 day of December, 2004, by and between SOUTHERN NUCLEAR OPERATING COMPANY,
INC. (hereinafter called "Company") and WILLIAM GEORGE HAIRSTON III (hereinafter
called "Employee"), to be effective as of December 23, 2004.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, Employee has been employed by Company in the position of
Chief Executive Officer and President of Company;

         WHEREAS, Employee ceased acting as Chief Executive Officer and
President of Company effective September 1, 2004, and became the Chairman of the
Company;

         WHEREAS, Company recognizes Employee's contributions to Company and
desires to provide for the continued employment of Employee for a limited
duration in the position of Chairman on the terms and conditions set forth
herein;

         WHEREAS, Employee is willing to commit himself to continue to serve
Company in the position of Chairman on the terms and conditions herein provided.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premise, the mutual promises,
covenants and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties agree as follows:

1.                         Employment.

                           Subject to the terms and conditions of
                           this Agreement, Company shall continue to employ
                           Employee in the position of Chairman, and Employee
                           hereby accepts continued employment in such position.

2.                         Term of Employment.

(a)                        The term of Employee's employment under this
                           Agreement shall be for approximately six (6) months,
                           commencing on the effective date of this Agreement as
                           set forth above and expiring on July 1, 2005, unless
                           and until this Agreement is terminated earlier
                           pursuant to Section 7, 8, or 9 hereof ("Term").

(b)                        In the event the Employee's employment with the
                           Company is not terminated pursuant to Section 7, 8,
                           or 9 hereof on or before July 1, 2005, Employee's
                           employment with the Company will in any event be
                           terminated on July 1, 2005.

(c)                        Any termination of Employee's employment under the
                           terms of this Agreement will not affect in any way
                           the continuous obligations of the Employee and the
                           Company, specifically including, but not limited to,
                           those obligations set forth in Sections 10, 11, 12,
                           13 and 14 of this Agreement.
<PAGE>

3.                         Position And Responsibilities.

(a)                        Position. During the Term of this Agreement, Employee
                           shall serve as Chairman and shall perform such duties
                           and responsibilities incident to such position,
                           including but not limited to, advising Company
                           regarding operations and continuing in his term as
                           Chair of the Nuclear Energy Institute, and any other
                           related duties as may from time to time be assigned
                           to him by the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
                           President of Southern Company or his designee
                           (hereafter "Southern CEO").

(b)                        Full-Time Efforts. Employee shall perform and
                           discharge faithfully, diligently and to the best of
                           his ability such duties and responsibilities and
                           shall devote his full-time efforts to the business
                           and affairs of Company. Employee agrees to promote
                           the best interests of Company and to not take any
                           actions that in any way damage the public image or
                           reputation of Company, its parent, its subsidiaries
                           or its affiliates.

(c)                        No  Interference  With  Duties.  Except  for those
                           activities  related  to Employee's  ownership
                           interests  in  Hairston  Farm LLC and WGH Farm  LLC,
                           Employee shall not devote time to other activities
                           such as would inhibit or otherwise  interfere with
                           the proper  performance of his duties,  and shall
                           not be  directly  or  indirectly  concerned  or
                           interested  in  any  other occupation,  activity or
                           interest in any business whatsoever other than (i)
                           holding an interest as a minority  shareholder  or
                           securities or debenture holder in a company  quoted
                           on a  nationally  recognized  exchange  or (ii)
                           serving on civic, charitable or industry
                           organization boards or committees,  so  long  as
                           such  activities  do not  significantly  interfere
                           with  the performance  of  Employee's
                           responsibilities  as an employee of Company in
                           accordance with this Agreement.

(d)                        Location. Employee's services shall be performed in
                           an office located at 42 Inverness Parkway,
                           Birmingham, Alabama, or any other office or location
                           prescribed by the Southern CEO.

4.                         Work Standard and Compliance with Laws. Employee
                           hereby agrees that he will at all times comply with
                           and abide by all terms and conditions set forth in
                           this Agreement, and all applicable work policies,
                           procedures and rules as may be issued by Company.
                           Employee further agrees that he shall comply with all
                           federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and
                           ordinances governing the performance of his duties
                           hereunder.

5.                         Compensation. Subject to the terms and conditions set
                           forth in this Agreement, Company shall pay Employee
                           and Employee shall accept a base salary at a monthly
                           rate of Forty Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-One
                           Dollars and Seventy Cents ($40,481.70) ("Base
                           Salary") during the Term of this Agreement. The Base
                           Salary shall be paid in accordance with Company's
                           normal payroll practices. Employee's Base Salary
                           shall be subject to increase at the discretion of
                           management, but in no event shall Employee's Base
                           Salary be decreased. All compensation payable to

<PAGE>

                           Employee pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject
                           to, and Company will deduct and withhold, all
                           applicable federal, state and local withholding,
                           employment, social security, and other similar taxes.

6.                         Benefits. During the Term of Employee's employment
                           under this Agreement, Employee shall receive benefits
                           under the various Company and Southern Company plans
                           generally provided to other similarly situated
                           employees of Company which shall include, but shall
                           not be limited to, pension and capital accumulation
                           plans and welfare benefit plans ("Benefit Plans"), in
                           accordance with the terms and conditions of such
                           Benefit Plans. Company shall not by reason of this
                           Section 6 be obligated to institute, maintain, or
                           refrain from changing, amending or discontinuing, any
                           such Benefit Plans.

7.                         Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding anything
                           herein to the contrary, Employee's employment under
                           this Agreement may be immediately terminated at any
                           time by Company without any liability owing to
                           Employee or Employee's beneficiaries under this
                           Agreement, except for any vested benefits under any
                           other plan or agreement covering Employee which shall
                           be governed by the terms of such plan or agreement,
                           under the following conditions, each of which shall
                           constitute "Cause" or "Termination for Cause":

(a)                        Employee's conviction of or pleading no contest to a
                           felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

(b)                        Employee's violation of Section 12 of this Agreement;

(c)                        Employee's breach or default in the performance of
                           any provision of this Agreement;

(d)                        The determination by the Southern CEO in his sole
                           discretion that Employee has engaged in any conduct
                           or made any statement that is detrimental to or would
                           prejudice the reputation, character or standing of
                           Company, Southern Company or any of the subsidiaries
                           or affiliates of Southern Company (collectively,
                           "Southern Entities") or would bring any of the
                           Southern Entities into contempt or ridicule or would
                           reasonably shock or offend any community in which any
                           of the Southern Entities is located; or

(e)                        The determination by the Southern CEO that in his
                           sole discretion Employee has engaged in misconduct,
                           insubordination, unacceptable performance or
                           fraudulent or unethical conduct.

8.                         Termination Upon Death. Notwithstanding anything
                           herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall
                           terminate immediately upon Employee's death, and
                           Company shall have no further liability to Employee
                           or his beneficiaries under this Agreement, except for
                           any vested benefits under any other plan or agreement
                           covering Employee which shall be governed by the
                           terms of such plan or agreement.
<PAGE>

9.                         Other Termination of Employment.

(a)                        Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
                           Company may terminate Employee's employment under
                           this Agreement at any time without Cause with thirty
                           (30) days prior written notice to Employee.

(b)                        Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
                           Employee may terminate his employment under this
                           Agreement at any time with thirty (30) days prior
                           written notice to Company.

(c)                        Upon Employee's termination under this Section 9,
                           Company shall have no further liability to Employee
                           or to his beneficiaries under the terms of this
                           Agreement, except for any vested benefits under any
                           other plan or agreement covering Employee which shall
                           be governed by the terms of such plan or agreement.

(d)                        If Employee tenders a resignation under the terms of
                           Section 9(b), Company may elect, at its sole
                           discretion, to terminate Employee's employment at any
                           time after receipt of Employee's notice of
                           resignation and, upon exercise of such option, shall
                           be obligated to pay to Employee only that portion of
                           the Base Salary which has been earned by him through
                           the effective date of such termination. Employee will
                           otherwise be entitled to all other payments or
                           benefits as set forth in Section 6.

10.                        Publicity; No Disparaging Statement. Except as
                           otherwise provided in Section 11 hereof, Employee
                           covenants and agrees not to engage in any internal or
                           external communications which shall disparage the
                           Company or interfere with the Company's existing or
                           prospective business relationships, or otherwise
                           negatively impact Company employees or operations, as
                           to be determined by the Southern CEO.

11.                        Confidentiality and Legal Process. Employee
                           represents and agrees that he will keep the terms,
                           amount and fact of this Agreement confidential and
                           that he will not hereafter disclose any information
                           concerning this Agreement to any one other than his
                           personal agents, including, but not limited to, any
                           former, present, or prospective employee or applicant
                           for employment with Company. Notwithstanding the
                           foregoing, nothing in this Agreement is intended to
                           prohibit Employee from performing any duty or
                           obligation that shall arise as a matter of law.
                           Specifically, Employee shall continue to be under a
                           duty to truthfully respond to any legal and valid
                           subpoena or other legal process. This Agreement is
                           not intended in any way to proscribe Employee's right
                           and ability to provide information to any federal,
                           state or local government in the lawful exercise of
                           such governments' governmental functions or prohibit
                           Employee from engaging in any other protected
                           activities under applicable law (including protected
                           activities described in Section 211 of the Energy
                           Reorganization Act).

12.                        Non-Disclosure.

(a)                        Definitions. For purposes of this Section 12, the
                           following terms shall have the following meanings:

(i)                        "Confidential  Information"  shall mean the
                           proprietary and confidential  data,  information,
                           documents or materials (whether oral,  written,

<PAGE>

                           electronic or otherwise)  belonging to or
                           pertaining to the Southern  Entities  other than
                           "Trade Secrets" (as defined below),  which is of
                           tangible or intangible  value to the Southern
                           Entities and that is not generally  known to the
                           public or the Southern  Entities'  competitors  but
                           is known only to the Southern Entities and those of
                           their employees,  independent  contractors or agents
                           to whom such information must be confided for
                           business purposes,  including,  without limitation,
                           information regarding the Southern  Entities'
                           customers,  suppliers, partners and affiliates and
                           other items that the Southern Entities may from
                           time to time mark or  otherwise  identify as
                           confidential,  which are gained by Employee as a
                           result of his affiliation with Company,  and all
                           non-public  information known by or in the
                           possession of Employee related to or regarding any
                           regulatory proceedings involving or related to the
                           Southern Entities .

(ii)                       "Trade Secrets" shall mean all knowledge, data and
                           information of Company which is defined as a "trade
                           secret" under applicable law.

(b)                        As the Chairman, Employee will be exposed to and have
                           access to certain Trade Secrets and Confidential
                           Information. Employee acknowledges and agrees that
                           the Trade Secrets and Confidential Information
                           represent a substantial investment by Company and
                           that any unauthorized disclosure or use of any of the
                           Trade Secrets or Confidential Information or any
                           other violation of the confidentiality provisions of
                           this Section 12, would be wrongful and could cause
                           immediate and irreparable injury to Company.

(c)                        Except as required in order to perform its
                           obligations under this Agreement, or ordered by a
                           court or regulatory agency, Employee shall regard and
                           treat Trade Secrets and all Confidential Information
                           as strictly confidential and wholly-owned by Company
                           and shall not, for any reason, in any fashion, either
                           directly or indirectly, use, sell, lend, lease,
                           distribute, license, give, publish, market, transfer,
                           assign, show, disclose, divulge, disseminate,
                           reproduce, copy, misappropriate or otherwise
                           communicate in any way to or for any person or
                           entity:

(i)                        any Confidential Information during the term of this
                           Agreement and for a period of three (3) years
                           thereafter; or

(ii)                       any Trade Secret at any time during which such
                           information constitutes a trade secret under
                           applicable law.

(d)                        Employee shall exercise his best efforts to ensure
                           the continued confidentiality of all Trade Secrets
                           and Confidential Information of Company known by,
                           disclosed to or made available to Employee, whether
                           in connection with this Agreement or any other past
                           or present relationship with Company. Employee shall

<PAGE>

                           immediately notify Company of any unauthorized
                           disclosure or use of any Trade Secrets or
                           Confidential Information of which Employee becomes
                           aware. Employee shall assist Company, to the extent
                           necessary, in the procurement or any protection of
                           Company's rights to or in any of the Trade Secrets or
                           Confidential Information.

(e)                        Immediately upon termination of this Agreement or at
                           any point prior to or after that time upon the
                           specific request of the Company, Employee shall
                           return to Company, all written or descriptive
                           materials of any kind or any Confidential Information
                           or Trade Secrets in his possession, and the
                           confidentiality obligations described in this
                           Agreement shall continue until their expiration under
                           the terms of this Agreement.

13.                        Work Product. All work product, property, data,
                           documentation, "know-how," concepts or plans,
                           inventions, improvements, techniques, processes or
                           information or materials conceived, discovered,
                           written, revised, developed or created by Employee
                           pursuant to his previous, current and ongoing
                           relationship with, or employment by, Company
                           (collectively, the "Work Product") shall be owned
                           exclusively by the Company. To the greatest extent
                           possible, any Work Product shall be deemed to be
                           "work made for hire" (as defined in the Copyright
                           Act, 17 U.S.C.A. ss. 101 et seq., as amended).
                           Employee hereby unconditionally and irrevocably
                           transfers and assigns to the Company all rights,
                           title and interest Employee currently has or in the
                           future may have by operation of law or otherwise in
                           or to any Work Product, including, without
                           limitation, all patents including extensions,
                           copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks and service
                           marks and the goodwill associated with each
                           respective mark, and other intellectual property
                           rights. Employee agrees to execute and deliver to the
                           Company any transfers, assignments, documents or
                           other instruments which the Company may deem
                           necessary or appropriate, from time to time, to
                           protect the rights granted herein or to vest complete
                           title and ownership of any Work Product, and all
                           rights therein, exclusively in the Company.

14.                        Return of Materials. Employee agrees to return all of
                           Company's property to Company prior to the
                           termination of this Agreement for any reason, except
                           as otherwise approved by the Southern CEO. Such
                           property includes, but is not limited to, the
                           original and any copy (regardless of the manner in
                           which it is recorded) of all information, materials
                           and documents provided by Company to Employee or
                           which Employee has developed or collected in the
                           scope of Employee's employment, as well as all
                           Company-issued equipment, supplies, accessories,
                           computers and computer disks, computer files, keys,
                           access cards, credit cards, parking cards,
                           identification cards, fax machines, beepers,
                           Blackberries, and telephones. The parties agree that
                           upon the termination of Employee's employment,
                           Company is authorized to deduct from final
                           compensation or other monies due to Employee any
                           debts or financial obligations owed to Company by
                           Employee.
<PAGE>

15.                        General Provisions.

(a)                        Approval. The terms and conditions of this Agreement
                           are subject to approval by the Compensation and
                           Management Succession Committee of the Southern
                           Company Board of Directors, and upon such approval,
                           this Agreement shall become effective as of the date
                           set forth above.

(b)                        Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified
                           only by a writing signed by both of the parties
                           hereto.

(c)                        Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the
                           benefit of and be binding upon Employee (including
                           his heirs and personal representatives) and Company
                           (including its successors and assigns).

(d)                        Waiver Of Breach; Specific Performance. The waiver of
                           a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not
                           be construed as or operate as a waiver of any other
                           breach. Each of the parties to this Agreement will be
                           entitled to enforce its or his rights under this
                           Agreement, specifically, to recover damages by reason
                           of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and
                           to exercise all other rights existing in its or his
                           favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that
                           money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any
                           breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that
                           any party may in its or his sole discretion apply to
                           any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction
                           for specific performance or injunctive relief in
                           order to enforce or prevent any violations of the
                           provisions of this Agreement.

(e)                        Unsecured General Creditor. The Company shall neither
                           reserve nor specifically set aside funds for the
                           payment of its obligations under this Agreement, and
                           such obligations shall be paid solely from the
                           general assets of Company.

(f)                        Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by
                           and construed in accordance with the laws of the
                           State of Alabama, without giving effect to conflict
                           of law provisions.

(g)                        Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the full
                           and complete understanding of the parties hereto with
                           respect to the subject matter contained herein and
                           this Agreement supercedes and replaces any prior
                           agreement, either oral or written, which Employee may
                           have with Company that relates generally to the same
                           subject matter.

(h)                        Severability. If any one or more of the terms,
                           provisions, covenants or restrictions of this
                           Agreement shall be determined by a court of competent
                           jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable,
                           then the remainder of the terms, provisions,
                           covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall
                           remain in full force and effect, and to that end the
                           provisions hereof shall be deemed severable.

(i)                        Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by
                           Employee without the prior written consent of
                           Company, and any attempted assignment not in
                           accordance herewith shall be null and void and of no
                           force or effect.
<PAGE>

(j)                        Survival.  Sections 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this
                           Agreement shall survive any termination of this
                           Agreement.

(k)                        Section Headings. The section headings set forth
                           herein are for convenience of reference only and
                           shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of
                           this Agreement whatsoever.

(l)                        Notices.

(i)                        All notices and all other communications provided for
                           herein shall be in writing and delivered personally
                           to the other designated party, or mailed by certified
                           or registered mail, return receipt requested, or
                           delivered by a recognized national overnight courier
                           service, or sent by facsimile, as follows:

                           If to Company to:   Southern Nuclear Operating
                                               Company,Inc.
                                               c/o Christopher S. Miller
                                               VP Employee Relations & Associate
                                                 General Counsel
                                               Southern Company Services, Inc.
                                               270 Peachtree Street, N.E.
                                               Atlanta, Georgia 30303
                                               Facsimile: (404) 506-0518

                           with a copy to:     Donna Crawford, Esq.
                                               Troutman Sanders LLP
                                               600 Peachtree Street, N.E.,
                                               Suite 5200
                                               Atlanta, Georgia 30308-2216
                                               Facsimile: (404) 962-6538

                           If to Employee to:  Mr. William George Hairston III
                                               3573 Shandwick Place
                                               Birmingham, AL  35242-6408

(ii)             All notices sent under this Agreement shall be deemed given
                 twenty-four (24) hours after sent by facsimile or courier,
                 three (3) business days after sent by certified or registered
                 mail and when delivered if personal delivery.

(iii)            Either party hereto may change the address to which notice is
                 to be sent hereunder by written notice to the other party in
                 accordance with the provisions of this Section.

(m)              Interpretation. Should a provision of this Agreement require
                 judicial interpretation, it is agreed that the judicial body
                 interpreting or construing the Agreement shall not apply the
                 assumption that the terms hereof shall be more strictly
                 construed against one party by reason of the rule of

<PAGE>

                 construction that an instrument is to be construed more
                 strictly against the party which itself or through its agents
                 prepared the agreement, it being agreed that all parties and/or
                 their agents have participated in the preparation hereof.

(n)              Voluntary Agreement. Employee and Company represent and agree
                 that each has reviewed all aspects of this Agreement, has
                 carefully read and fully understands all provisions of this
                 Agreement, and is voluntarily entering into this Agreement.
                 Each party represents and agrees that such party has had the
                 opportunity to review any and all aspects of this Agreement
                 with legal, tax or other adviser(s) of such party's choice
                 before executing this Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or caused their
duly authorized representative to execute, this Agreement as of the dates below
written.

                 "COMPANY"
                 SOUTHERN NUCLEAR OPERATING COMPANY, INC.

                 By:     /s/  Ellen N. Lindemann                     12/22/04
                    ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Date
                 Title:   VP Human Resources
                        -----------------------------------------------------

                 "EMPLOYEE"

                 /s/ William George Hairston III                   12/21/04
                 ------------------------------------------------------------
                 William George Hairston III                           DateExhibit 10.2
                   RELEASE AND RESTRICTIVE COVENANT AGREEMENT

         THIS RELEASE AND RESTRICTIVE COVENANT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") made and
entered into by and between SOUTHERN NUCLEAR OPERATING COMPANY, INC. (the
"Company") and WILLIAM GEORGE HAIRSTON III ("Employee").

                               W I T N E S S E T H
         WHEREAS, Employee has been employed by the Company for approximately
         thirty-seven (37) years;

         WHEREAS, Employee is a highly compensated
         employee of the Company and is a member of its management;

         WHEREAS, the parties have agreed that Employee will terminate
         employment with the Company no later than July 1, 2005;

         WHEREAS, the parties desire to reach an accord and satisfaction of all
claims arising up to the date of this Agreement from Employee's employment and
agreement to terminate employment as set forth above, with appropriate releases;
and
         WHEREAS, in order to be eligible for benefits under this Agreement, the
Employee must execute this Agreement no later than December 31, 2004 and allow
this Agreement to become effective;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and the agreements of
the parties set forth in this Agreement, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby covenant and agree as
follows:

1. Eligibility for Consideration. In the event Employee (i) executes
this Agreement no later than December 31, 2004, and (ii) allows this Agreement
to become effective, the Company shall pay to Employee or his spouse or his

<PAGE>

estate, as applicable, the amount described in Section 2 hereof pursuant to the
terms of such Section. Employee covenants and agrees that the consideration set
forth in Section 2 constitutes good and complete consideration for the release
contained in Section 3, those non-disclosure and non-interference obligations
under Sections 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 hereof and all other obligations and covenants
of Employee contained herein, including, but not limited to, Section 5. Employee
agrees that this Agreement provides him certain benefits to which he would not
otherwise be entitled.

2.  Consideration.

        (a)                         In the event Employee satisfies the
                                    requirements of Section 1 above, the Company
                                    shall pay to Employee an amount equal to One
                                    Million, Two Hundred Ninety-Four Thousand,
                                    Nine Hundred Thirty-Seven Dollars and No
                                    Cents ($1,294,937.00) ("Consideration")
                                    pursuant to the terms of this Section.

        (b)                         Except as provided in Section 2(c) below,
                                    the Consideration shall be paid to Employee
                                    in a lump sum as soon as administratively
                                    practicable following the effective date of
                                    this Agreement (as determined in accordance
                                    with Section 26 hereof), but in no event
                                    later than February 28, 2005.

        (c)                         Notwithstanding the above, in the event
                                    Employee dies after he satisfies the
                                    requirements of Section 1 but before
                                    receiving the Consideration pursuant to
                                    Section 2(b) above, the Company shall pay
                                    the unpaid Consideration to Employee's
                                    spouse, if living, or if not, to the
                                    Employee's estate, as soon as practicable
                                    after Employee's death.
<PAGE>

        (d)                         In accordance with Section 20, Employee
                                    shall be responsible for all state and
                                    federal income taxes and his share of FICA
                                    taxes owed on the Consideration, and Company
                                    shall make appropriate withholding of these
                                    amounts.

3. Release.

     (a) In exchange for receiving the  Consideration  described in Section 2 of
this  Agreement,  the  sufficiency  of which is  acknowledged,  Employee  hereby
knowingly,  voluntarily and irrevocably waives, releases, discharges,  dismisses
with  prejudice,   and  withdraws  all  claims,   complaints,   suits,  demands,
liabilities  and  causes  of  action of any kind  whatsoever  (whether  known or
unknown,  fixed  or  contingent)  which  Employee,  his  heirs,  administrators,
executors,  personal  representatives  and beneficiaries  ever had, may have, or
claim to have against the Company,  Southern Company, Southern Company Services,
Inc.,  and other  current  or former  subsidiaries  or  affiliates  of  Southern
Company,  and their past,  present and future  officers,  directors,  employees,
agents, insurers and attorneys (collectively, the "Releasees"),  arising from or
relating to (directly or indirectly) Employee's employment or other events which
occurred  as of the  date of  execution  of this  Agreement,  including  but not
limited to:
        (i)                         claims for violations of Title VII of the
                                    Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age
                                    Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair
                                    Labor Standards Act, the Civil Rights Act of
                                    1991, the Americans With Disabilities Act,
                                    the Equal Pay Act, the Civil Rights Act of
                                    1866, the Family and Medical Leave Act, 42
                                    U.S.C. ss. 1981, the National Labor
                                    Relations Act, the Labor Management
                                    Relations Act, Executive Order 11246,
                                    Executive Order 11141, the Rehabilitation
                                    Act of 1973, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
                                    or the Employee Retirement Income Security
                                    Act;

        (ii)                        claims for violations of any other federal
                                    or state statute or regulation or local
                                    ordinance;

        (iii)                       claims for lost or unpaid wages,
                                    compensation, or benefits, defamation,
                                    intentional or negligent infliction of
                                    emotional distress, assault, battery,
                                    wrongful or constructive discharge,
                                    negligent hiring, retention or supervision,
                                    fraud, misrepresentation, conversion,
                                    tortious interference, breach of contract,
                                    or breach of fiduciary duty;

        (iv)                        claims to benefits under any non-incentive
                                    bonus, severance, workforce reduction, early
                                    retirement, outplacement, or any other
                                    similar type plan sponsored by the Company;
                                    or

        (v)                         any and all other claims under state law
                                    arising in tort or contract.

     (b) In signing this  Agreement,  Employee is not  releasing any claims that
may arise  under the  terms of this  Agreement  or which may arise out of events
occurring after the date Employee executes this Agreement,  except that Employee
understands,  agrees and acknowledges  that his employment with the Company will
terminate no later than July 1, 2005.

         Employee is also not releasing claims to benefits that Employee is
already entitled to receive under The Southern Company Pension Plan, The
Southern Company Employee Stock Ownership Plan, The Southern Company Employee
Savings Plan or under any workers' compensation laws. However, Employee
understands and acknowledges that nothing herein is intended to or shall be
construed to require the Company to institute or continue in effect any

<PAGE>

particular plan or benefit sponsored by Company and Company hereby reserves the
right to amend or terminate any of its benefit programs at any time in
accordance with the procedures set forth in such plans.

         Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit Employee from engaging in
protected activities under applicable law (including protected activities
described in Section 211 of the Energy Reorganization Act) or from
communicating, either voluntarily or otherwise, with any governmental agency
concerning any potential violation of the law.

        (c)                         Employee represents that he has not assigned
                                    or transferred, or purported to assign or
                                    transfer, any claims or any portion thereof
                                    or interest therein to any party prior to
                                    the date of this Agreement.

        (d)                         This Agreement shall not in any way be
                                    construed as an admission by Company or
                                    Employee of any improper actions or
                                    liability whatsoever as to one another, and
                                    each specifically disclaims any liability to
                                    or improper actions against the other or any
                                    other person, on the part of itself or
                                    himself, its or his employees or agents.

     4. Publicity;  No Disparaging  Statement.  Except as otherwise  provided in
Section 13 hereof,  Employee and the Company  covenant and agree that they shall
not engage in any communications  which shall disparage one another or interfere
with their existing or prospective business relationships,  as determined by the
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Southern Company (hereinafter
"Southern CEO").

     5. No Employment.  Employee agrees that he shall not seek  re-employment as
an employee,  temporary employee, leased employee or independent contractor with

<PAGE>

the Company or the Southern  Company or any of its  subsidiaries  or  affiliates
(collectively,  for purposes of this Section 5, "The Southern Company  System"),
for a period of twenty-four (24) months  following the date Employee  terminates
his employment  with the Company (the  "Termination  Date").  The Company or any
member of The  Southern  Company  System  shall not  rehire the  Employee  as an
employee,  temporary employee,  leased employee or independent  contractor for a
period of twenty-four  (24) months  following the Employee's  Termination  Date,
unless an exceptional  business  reason exists for rehiring the Employee and the
Southern CEO or designee approves of such rehiring.

6. Business Protection Provision Definitions.

        (a) Preamble.               As a material inducement to the
                                    Company to enter into this Agreement, and
                                    its recognition of the valuable experience,
                                    knowledge and proprietary information
                                    Employee gained from his employment with the
                                    Company, Employee warrants and agrees he
                                    will abide by and adhere to the following
                                    business protection provisions in Sections
                                    6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 herein.

        (b) Definitions.           For purposes of Sections 6, 7,
                                    8, 9 and 10 herein, the following terms
                                    shall have the following meanings:

                (i)                 "Competitive  Position"  shall  mean  any
                                    employment,   consulting,   advisory,
                                    directorship,   agency, promotional or
                                    independent  contractor arrangement between
                                    the Employee and any person or Entity
                                    engaged  wholly or in material  part in the
                                    business that the Company is engaged in
                                    (the  "Business")  whereby the Employee is
                                    required to or does perform  services on
                                    behalf of or for the benefit of such person
                                    or Entity which are  substantially  similar

<PAGE>

                                    to the services  Employee  participated in
                                    or directed  while employed by the Company,
                                    The Southern  Company or any of their
                                    respective affiliates (collectively the
                                    "Southern Entities").

                (ii)                "Confidential  Information"  shall mean the
                                    proprietary or confidential  data,
                                    information,  documents or  materials
                                    (whether  oral,  written,  electronic or
                                    otherwise)  belonging to or pertaining  to
                                    the  Company  or other  Southern  Entities,
                                    other  than  "Trade Secrets" (as defined
                                    below),  which is of tangible or intangible
                                    value to any of the Southern  Entities and
                                    that is not generally  known to the public
                                    or the competitors  of  the  Southern
                                    Entities  but is  known  only  to the
                                    Southern Entities and those of their
                                    employees,  independent  contractors  or
                                    agents to whom such  information  must be
                                    confided for business  purposes,  including
                                    but  not limited  to: (A) any items that
                                    any of the  Southern  Entities  have marked
                                    "CONFIDENTIAL"  or some similar
                                    designation  or are  otherwise  identified
                                    as being  confidential;  (B)  all
                                    non-public  information  known  by  or  in
                                    the possession  of Employee  related to or
                                    regarding  any  regulatory  proceedings
                                    involving or related to the Southern
                                    Entities;  and (C) information  regarding
                                    the Southern Entities' customers, suppliers,
                                    partners and affiliates.

        (iii)                       "Entity" or "Entities" shall mean any
                                    business, individual, partnership, joint
                                    venture, agency, governmental agency, body

<PAGE>

                                    or subdivision, association, firm,
                                    corporation, limited liability company or
                                    other entity of any kind.

        (iv)                        "Territory" shall include the States of
                                    Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi or Florida.

        (v)                         "Trade Secrets" shall mean information or
                                    data of or about any of the Southern
                                    Entities,  including,  but not  limited  to,
                                    technical  or  non-technical   data,
                                    formulas,   patterns, compilations,
                                    programs,  devices, methods,  techniques,
                                    drawings,  processes, financial data,
                                    financial plans, product plans or lists of
                                    actual or potential customers or suppliers
                                    that: (A) derives  economic value,  actual
                                    or potential, from not being  generally
                                    known to,  and not being  readily
                                    ascertainable  by proper  means  by,  other
                                    persons  who can  obtain  economic  value
                                    from  its disclosure or use; and (B) is the
                                    subject of efforts that are reasonable
                                    under the  circumstances  to maintain  its
                                    secrecy.  The  Employee  agrees that trade
                                    secrets include  non-public  information
                                    related to the rate making process of
                                    the Southern  Entities and any other
                                    information  which is defined as a "trade
                                    secret" under applicable law.

        (vi)                        "Work Product" shall mean all tangible work
                                    product, property, data, documentation,
                                    "know-how," concepts or plans, inventions,
                                    improvements, techniques, processes or
                                    information or materials that were
                                    conceived, discovered, created, written,
                                    revised or developed by Employee pursuant to

<PAGE>

                                    his employment with the Company.

7. Nondisclosure: Ownership of Proprietary Property.

     (a) In  recognition  of the need of the Company to protect  its  legitimate
business interests,  Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, Employee hereby
covenants and agrees that Employee  shall regard and treat Trade Secrets and all
Confidential  Information  as  strictly  confidential  and  wholly-owned  by the
Company  and shall not,  for any  reason,  in any  fashion,  either  directly or
indirectly, use, sell, lend, lease, distribute, license, give, transfer, assign,
show,  disclose,  disseminate,  reproduce,  copy,  misappropriate  or  otherwise
communicate  any such item or  information  to any third party or Entity for any
purpose  other  than  in  accordance  with  this  Agreement  or as  required  by
applicable law: (i) with regard to each item constituting a Trade Secret, at all
times such  information  remains a "trade secret" under applicable law, and (ii)
with  regard to any  Confidential  Information,  for a period of three (3) years
following Employee's Termination Date (hereafter the "Restricted Period").

     (b)  Employee   shall   exercise  best  efforts  to  ensure  the  continued
confidentiality of all Trade Secrets and Confidential Information,  and he shall
immediately  notify the  Company of any  unauthorized  disclosure  or use of any
Trade Secrets or  Confidential  Information  of which  Employee  becomes  aware.
Employee shall assist the Company, to the extent necessary, in the protection of
or procurement of any intellectual property protection or other rights in any of
the Trade Secrets or Confidential Information.

     (c) All Work Product  shall be owned  exclusively  by the  Company.  To the
greatest extent possible,  any Work Product shall be deemed to be "work made for
hire" (as  defined  in the  Copyright  Act,  17  U.S.C.A.  ss.  101 et seq.,  as
amended),  and Employee hereby  unconditionally  and  irrevocably  transfers and

<PAGE>

assigns to the Company all right,  title and interest Employee  currently has or
may have by operation of law or otherwise in or to any Work Product,  including,
without limitation,  all patents including  extensions,  copyrights,  trademarks
(and the goodwill associated therewith),  trade secrets,  service marks (and the
goodwill associated therewith) and other intellectual property rights.  Employee
agrees to  execute  and  deliver  to the  Company  any  transfers,  assignments,
documents  or  other  instruments  which  the  Company  may  deem  necessary  or
appropriate,  from time to time, to protect the rights granted herein or to vest
complete  title and  ownership of any and all Work Product,  and all  associated
intellectual property and other rights therein, exclusively in the Company.

     (d)  Employee  represents  and  agrees  that he will  keep  all  terms  and
provisions  of this  Agreement  completely  confidential,  except  for  possible
disclosures to his legal advisors or to the extent required by law, and Employee
further  agrees that he will not disclose the terms,  provisions or  information
contained in or concerning this Agreement to anyone,  including, but not limited
to, any past, present, or prospective  employee or applicant for employment with
the  Company.  Employee  agrees that he may only  disclose to future,  potential
employers of Employee that he participates in a Release and Restrictive Covenant
Agreement with the Company which imposes certain restrictions on him.

8.Non-Interference With Employees.

                  Employee covenants and agrees that during the Restricted
Period he will not, either directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with
any other person or Entity: (A) actively recruit, solicit, attempt to solicit,
or induce any person who, during such Restricted Period, or within one year
prior to the Termination Date, was an exempt employee of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, or was an officer of any of the other Southern Entities to
leave or cease such employment for any reason whatsoever; or (B) hire or engage

<PAGE>

the services of any such person described in Section 8(A) in any business
substantially similar or competitive with that in which the Southern Entities
were engaged during his employment.

9. Non-Interference With Customers.

(a) Employee acknowledges that in the course of employment, he has learned about
Company's business, services, materials, programs and products and the manner in
which they are developed, marketed, serviced and provided. Employee knows and
acknowledges that the Company has invested considerable time and money in
developing its programs, agreements, offices, representatives, services,
products and marketing techniques and that they are unique and original.
Employee further acknowledges that the Company must keep secret all pertinent
information divulged to Employee and Company's business concepts, ideas,
programs, plans and processes, so as not to aid Company's competitors.
Accordingly, Company is entitled to the following protection, which Employee
agrees is reasonable:

(b) Except as otherwise approved by the Southern CEO, Employee covenants and
agrees that for a period of two (2) years following the Termination Date, he
will not, on his own behalf or on behalf of any person or Entity, solicit,
direct, appropriate, call upon, or initiate communication or contact with any
person or entity or any representative of any person or entity, with whom
Employee had contact during his employment, with a view toward the sale or the
providing of any product, equipment or service sold or provided or under
development by Company during the period of two (2) years immediately preceding
the date of Employee's termination. The restrictions set forth in this Section
shall apply only to persons or entities with whom Employee had actual contact
during the two (2) years prior to termination of employment with a view toward

<PAGE>

the sale or providing of any product, equipment or service sold or provided or
under development by Company.

10. Non-Interference With Business.

(a) Employee and Company expressly covenant and agree that the scope,
territorial, time and other restrictions contained in this entire Agreement
constitute the most reasonable and equitable restrictions possible to protect
the business interest of the Company given: (i) the business of the Company;
(ii) the competitive nature of the Company's industry; and (iii) that Employee's
skills are such that he could easily find alternative, commensurate employment
or consulting work in his field which would not violate any of the provisions of
this Agreement. The Employee further acknowledges that the payment described in
Section 2 is also in consideration of his covenants and agreements contained in
Sections 6 through 10 hereof.

(b) Except as otherwise approved by the Southern CEO, Employee covenants and
agrees to not obtain or work in a Competitive Position within the Territory for
a period of two (2) years from the Termination Date.

11. Return of Materials. Upon the Employee's termination, or at any point after
that time upon the specific request of the Company, Employee shall return to the
Company all written or descriptive materials of any kind belonging or relating
to the Company or its affiliates, including, without limitation, any originals,
copies and abstracts containing any Work Product, intellectual property,
Confidential Information and Trade Secrets in Employee's possession or control,
except as otherwise approved by the Southern CEO.

12. Cooperation. The parties agree that as a result of Employee's duties and
activities during his employment, Employee's reasonable availability may be

<PAGE>

necessary for the Company to meaningfully respond to or address actual or
threatened litigation, or government inquiries or investigations, or required
filings with state, federal or foreign agencies (hereinafter "Company Matters").
Upon request of the Company, and at any point following his termination of
employment, Employee will make himself available to the Company for reasonable
periods consistent with his future employment, if any, by other Entities and
will cooperate with its agents and attorneys as reasonably required by such
Company Matters. The Company will reimburse Employee for any reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses associated with providing such cooperation.

13. Confidentiality and Legal Process. Employee represents and agrees that he
will keep the terms, amount and fact of this Agreement confidential and that he
will not hereafter disclose any information concerning this Agreement to anyone
other than his personal agents, including, but not limited to, any past,
present, or prospective employee or applicant for employment with Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement is intended to prohibit
Employee from performing any duty or obligation that shall arise as a matter of
law. Specifically, Employee shall continue to be under a duty to truthfully
respond to any legal and valid subpoena or other legal process. This Agreement
is not intended in any way to proscribe Employee's right and ability to provide
information to any federal, state or local government in the lawful exercise of
such governments' governmental functions.

14. Successors And Assigns; Applicable Law. This Agreement may not be assigned
by Employee without the prior written consent of Company, and any attempted
assignment not in accordance herewith shall be null and void and of no force or
effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
Employee and his heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors
and permitted assigns, and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the

<PAGE>

Company and its officers, directors, employees, agents, shareholders, parent
corporation and affiliates, and their respective predecessors, successors,
assigns, heirs, executors and administrators and each of them, and to their
heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns. This
Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the
State of Alabama, United States of America (without giving effect to principles
of conflicts of laws).

15. Complete Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the full and complete
Agreement between the parties concerning its subject matter and fully supersedes
any and all other prior agreements or understandings between the parties
concerning the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall not be modified or
amended except by a written instrument signed by both Employee and an authorized
representative of the Company.

16. Severability. The unenforceability or invalidity of any particular provision
of this Agreement shall not affect its other provisions, and to the extent
necessary to give such other provisions effect, they shall be deemed severable.
The judicial body interpreting this Agreement shall be authorized and instructed
to rewrite any of the sections which are enforceable as written in such a
fashion so that they may be enforced to the greatest extent legally possible.
Employee acknowledges and agrees that the covenants and agreements contained in
this Agreement, including, without limitation, the covenants and agreements
contained in Sections 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, shall be construed as covenants and
agreements independent of each other or any other contract between the parties
hereto and that the existence of any claim or cause of action by Employee
against Company, whether predicated upon this Agreement or any other contract,
shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by Company of said covenants
and agreements.
<PAGE>

17. Waiver Of Breach; Specific Performance. The waiver of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any
other breach. Each of the parties to this Agreement will be entitled to enforce
its or his rights under this Agreement, specifically, to recover damages by
reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all
other rights existing in its or his favor. The parties hereto agree and
acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of
the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its or his sole
discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction for
specific performance or injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent any
violations of the provisions of this Agreement.

18. Unsecured General Creditor. The Company shall neither reserve nor
specifically set aside funds for the payment of its obligations under this
Agreement, and such obligations shall be paid solely from the general assets of
the Company. Notwithstanding that Employee may be entitled to receive the value
of his benefit under the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the assets from
which such amount may be paid shall at all times be subject to the claims of the
Company's creditors.

19. No Effect On Other Arrangements. It is expressly understood and agreed that
the payment made in accordance with this Agreement is in addition to any other
benefits or compensation to which Employee may be entitled or for which he may
be eligible, whether funded or unfunded, by reason of his employment with the
Company.

20. Tax Withholding. There shall be deducted from the payment under this
Agreement the amount of any tax required by any governmental authority to be
withheld and paid over by the Company to such governmental authority for the
account of Employee.
<PAGE>

21. Compensation. Any compensation paid on behalf of Employee under this
Agreement shall not be considered "compensation," as the term is defined in The
Southern Company Employee Savings Plan, The Southern Company Employee Stock
Ownership Plan, or The Southern Company Pension Plan. The payment under this
Agreement shall not be considered wages, salaries or compensation under any
other employee benefit plan.

22. No Guarantee of Employment. No provision of this Agreement shall be
construed to affect in any manner the existing rights of the Company to suspend,
terminate, alter, modify, whether or not for cause, the employment relationship
of Employee and the Company.

23. Interpretation. The judicial body interpreting this Agreement shall not more
strictly construe the terms of this Agreement against one party, it being agreed
that both parties and/or their attorneys or agents have negotiated and
participated in the preparation hereof.

24. Approval. The terms and conditions of this Agreement are subject to approval
by the Compensation and Management Succession Committee of the Southern Company
Board of Directors, and upon such approval, this Agreement will become effective
upon the date described in Section 26.

25. Voluntary Execution. Employee warrants, represents and agrees that he has
been encouraged in writing to seek advice from anyone of his choosing regarding
this Agreement, including his attorney and accountant or tax advisor prior to
his signing it; that this Agreement represents written notice to do so; that he
has been given the opportunity and sufficient time to seek such advice; and that
he fully understands the meaning and contents of this Agreement. He further
represents and warrants that he was not coerced, threatened or otherwise forced
to sign this Agreement, and that his signature appearing hereinafter is
voluntary and genuine. EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS THAT HE MAY TAKE UP TO TWENTY-ONE

<PAGE>

(21) DAYS TO CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT HE DESIRES TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT. IN
THE EVENT EMPLOYEE EXECUTES THIS AGREEMENT BEFORE THAT TIME, EMPLOYEE CERTIFIES
BY THAT EXECUTION THAT HE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVED THE RIGHT TO THE FULL
21-DAY CONSIDERATION PERIOD, FOR REASONS PERSONAL TO EMPLOYEE, WITH NO PRESSURE
BY ANY COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE TO DO SO. EMPLOYEE AND THE COMPANY AGREE THAT ANY
CHANGES, WHETHER MATERIAL OR IMMATERIAL, WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE TO THIS AGREEMENT
OR THE COMPANY'S ORIGINAL OFFER OF CONSIDERATION IN EXCHANGE FOR RELEASING HIS
CLAIMS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT DID NOT RESTART THE
RUNNING OF THE 21-DAY CONSIDERATION PERIOD DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING SENTENCE.

26. Ability to Revoke Agreement. EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS THAT HE MAY REVOKE THIS
AGREEMENT BY NOTIFYING THE COMPANY IN WRITING OF SUCH REVOCATION WITHIN SEVEN
(7) DAYS OF HIS EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT
EFFECTIVE UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF SUCH SEVEN (7) DAY PERIOD. HE UNDERSTANDS THAT
UPON THE EXPIRATION OF SUCH SEVEN (7) DAY PERIOD, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE BINDING
UPON HIM AND HIS HEIRS, ADMINISTRATORS, REPRESENTATIVES, EXECUTORS, SUCCESSORS
AND ASSIGNS AND WILL BE IRREVOCABLE.

                    [Signatures begin on the following page.]
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the dates written below.

                           "COMPANY"

                           SOUTHERN NUCLEAR OPERATING COMPANY, INC.

                           By:  /s/ Ellen N. Lindemann
                                ---------------------------
                           Its:  VP Human Resources
                                 --------------------------
                           Date:   12/22/04
                                  ---------------------------
I UNDERSTAND  THAT BY SIGNING  THIS  AGREEMENT,  I AM GIVING UP RIGHTS I MAY
HAVE. I UNDERSTAND  THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO SIGN THIS AGREEMENT.

                          "EMPLOYEE"

                          WILLIAM GEORGE HAIRSTON III

                          /s/  William George Hairston III
                          ----------------------------------

                           Date:   12/21/04
                                   -------------------------

                          WITNESSED BY:
                          /s/  Deborah B. Gurganus
                           --------------------------
                          Date:    12/21/04
                                ------------------

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