ATLANTA, April 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SouthStar Energy
Services®, a member of the Southern Company family of
companies, has entered into a groundbreaking alliance with two
Historically Black Colleges and Universities across its multi-state
business footprint. This new partnership with Paine College in Augusta,
Georgia and Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida aims to reduce the
institutions' emissions footprints from their natural gas use
through SouthStar's innovative Greener Life® for
Business program.
SouthStar Energy Services realizes the importance of
sustainability for future generations and the critical role
educational institutions play in shaping future leaders. By teaming
up with Paine College and
Bethune-Cookman University, SouthStar demonstrates a shared
commitment to both environmental responsibility and educational
excellence.
"We are privileged to have served these distinguished HBCUs for
many years and now are excited to be assisting with their
respective sustainability goals and initiatives," said Mike Braswell, president and CEO of SouthStar
Energy Services. "SouthStar is proud to be the first in the market
to establish this kind of innovative partnership and demonstrate
our commitment to the ideals of our parent, Southern Company."
The Greener Life for Business program is an industry-leading
initiative designed to help businesses reduce their environmental
impact. Through this program, SouthStar Energy Services will assist
the partnering HBCUs in offsetting the carbon emissions from their
natural gas usage. This result is achieved via investments in
carbon offset projects, which include reforestation, methane
capture and more. Additionally, each school will be supporting
carbon offset programs in the states where they are located. These
collaborations represent an integral part of SouthStar's dedication
to promoting eco-friendly business practices across the communities
it serves.
"Our partnership, through SouthStar's Greener Life for Business
program, demonstrates our continued efforts to be an example to
other institutions of higher learning on the path to carbon
neutrality," said Dr. Cheryl Evans
Jones, president of Paine
College. "This partnership embodies our commitment to
environmental stewardship and a brighter, cleaner future for our
communities."
"I am personally elated to embark on this transformative journey
with SouthStar Energy Services. This partnership reflects our
shared dedication to sustainability and underscores our commitment
to leaving a positive environmental legacy. Together, we are
shaping a greener, more promising future for our beloved
institution and the communities we serve," said Dr. William Berry, acting president/provost of
Bethune-Cookman University.
This partnership builds off a longstanding relationship between
the Southern Company family of companies and HBCUs. In 2020,
Southern Company announced a $50
million initiative in support of HBCUs across its
footprint.
For over 25 years, SouthStar has taken the initiative on
identifying and supporting innovations to make natural gas
sustainable and environmentally friendly. Through the addition of
the Greener Life program, thousands of both residential and
commercial customers have been empowered to offset more than 350
million pounds of carbon emissions to date. For more about
SouthStar's sustainability history, visit
www.SouthStarEnergy.com/sustainability.
About Paine College
Paine College, founded in 1882, is
affiliated with the United Methodist Church and the Christian
Methodist Episcopal Church. Paine
remains a liberal arts, coeducational institution, committed to
providing educational opportunities to all students in a diverse,
caring, and inclusive campus community. Voted among Georgia's best Christian Colleges,
Paine is accredited by the
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
(TRACS). Paine has a history of
educating the best and brightest, but intentionally seeks out
students who would otherwise not attend college. Paine is known for creating opportunities for
students to be better prepared for the college experience through
its Upward Bound Program, Dual Degree Program, and free Summer STEM
Enrichment Programs. For more information, visit paine.edu.
About Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU)
Now in its 120th year, Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) is a
historically-Black university in Daytona
Beach, Fla., founded by civil and human rights activist Dr.
Mary McLeod Bethune in 1904 as the
Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls.
With deep roots in the history of America, B-CU is a United
Methodist-related, private institution largely focused on liberal
arts programs to meet students' diverse educational, social and
cultural needs. The university is home to the nation's #2 HBCU
Nursing Program, a world-renowned marching band known as "The
Pride," and is a member of the Southwestern Athletic
Conference.
About SouthStar Energy
SouthStar Energy Services® is owned by Southern
Company Gas™, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern
Company (NYSE: SO). SouthStar also operates Georgia Natural
Gas®, Ohio Natural Gas®, Florida Natural
Gas®, Pennsylvania EnergySM, Grand Rapids
Energy® (in Michigan)
and in other parts of the Southeast as SouthStar Energy Services.
SouthStar's subsidiaries in Illinois operate as Illinois
EnergySM and Illinois Energy Solutions®.
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving
9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its
family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable
energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has
electric operating companies in three states, natural gas
distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation
company, a leading distributed energy distribution company with
national capabilities, a fiber optics network and
telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment
to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action
to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal
of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising
values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of
everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are
transforming energy into economic, environmental and social
progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices
have earned the company national awards and recognition from
numerous organizations, including Forbes, The Military Times,
DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights
Campaign and more. To learn more, visit
www.southerncompany.com.
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SOURCE SouthStar Energy Services