Friday July 4th, 2025 1:30PM

Energy conglomerate sponsors nature show

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ATLANTA - Sea turtles and trees are not normally associated with energy conglomerates such as Atlanta-based Southern Co. <br> <br> But that could change with the company&#39;s sponsorship of a new television nature series on Turner South, a regional cable network that is part of AOL Time Warner&#39;s Turner Broadcasting System. <br> <br> ``The Natural South presented by: Southern Company&#39;&#39; will give the company ``a unique, creative method to demonstrate our environmental commitment,&#39;&#39; said Laura Gillig, a company spokesman. She declined to say what the company is paying for the sponsorship. <br> <br> Georgia Power, Southern Co.&#39;s subsidiary, has a mixed record on the environment. <br> <br> It is one of the largest landowners in Georgia and takes credit for planting millions of trees around the Southeast. It also has set aside scenic land for state parks and recreational areas and has been an avide supporter of electric vehicles. <br> <br> But it also has coal-burning power plants that pump out more pollutants into the air in Georgia than any other source, the state Environmental Protection Division says. <br> <br> John Parry, Turner South&#39;s programming chief, said those details are not expected to be associated with Southern Co. when the new show airs an episode on air quality later this year. <br> <br> The show is designed to highlight environmental issues and what can be done to fix the problems, Parry said. ``I think we can do that without pointing fingers at anybody.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Parry said that while he does not think planned episodes will name specific companies that have caused environmental harm they may cite entire industries that have added to pollution. <br> <br> And he said Southern Co. will have no editorial control over the 22 half-hour shows that will will air Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. <br> <br> ``They have no influence whatsoever. We lead this dance,&#39;&#39; Parry said. <br> <br> Still, at least one environmentalist is not pleased that Southern Co. was able to buy an association with a nature series. <br> <br> ``They need to be spending money to clean up the environment rather than portray that there is an environmental ethic being practiced,&#39;&#39; said Rita Kilpatrick, executive director of Georgians for Clean Energy. <br> <br> Southern Co. also owns Alabama Power, Gulf Power, Mississippi Power, Savannah Electric and Southern Energy.
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