Southern Company CEO Tom Fanning has received the Edison Electric Institute’s Distinguished Leadership Award for his contributions to the electric power industry.

The award was presented to Fanning during the institute’s board meeting for CEOs.

“Tom is a terrific leader whose efforts have elevated coordination between the electric power industry and the government to prepare for and respond to national disasters and to better protect the energy grid against physical and cybersecurity threats,” said Dominion Energy Chairman Tom Farrell.

Besides his leadership of Southern Company, Fanning is also the CEO of the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council and serves on the boards of various organizations, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

“I’m always proud to say that this industry offers people hope. Because we are successful at delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, we help people in a very profound way,” Fanning said while receiving the award.

The Edison Electric Institute is an association the represents all investor-owned electric companies in the country.

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