Climate Changed
This Utility Chief Is Betting Billions on Nuclear
- Southern Co.’s Fanning hobnobs with Pence, Perry and Pruitt
- Federal loan guarantees help company build two new reactors
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Tom Fanning is the only energy executive in America willing to bet billions on nuclear power.
The chief executive officer of utility giant Southern Co. is renowned for his boundless optimism, which he generously spreads around. He’s chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, co-leader of one industry group and a former chairman of another. He’s a frequent visitor to Washington, where he’s met with Vice President Mike Pence, Scott Pruitt of the Environmental Protection Agency and old friend Energy Secretary Rick Perry. Fanning is often a guest of TV business news, where he’s spoken glowingly about “clean coal’’ and nuclear.