Washington – Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today honored Alabama Power Company with the association’s 2012 Emergency Assistance Award for its efforts to help other electric utilities restore power after derecho windstorms hit the Midwest and Middle Atlantic regions in June, and after Hurricane Sandy walloped the East Coast in October.

The Emergency Assistance Award has been presented each year to EEI member electric utility companies since 1998. It recognizes extraordinary efforts undertaken in restoring power to another utility company’s customers whose electric service was disrupted by severe weather conditions or other natural events. The award was presented during EEI’s winter CEO meeting.

Montgomery, Ala.— More than 225 dishes at restaurants across the state are featured in a new photo book titled Alabama Food that goes on sale Dec. 3.

The colorful 128-page book was produced in cooperation with the Alabama Tourism Department and covers the food scene in the state by geographic region, starting in North Alabama and ending with the Gulf Coast. It’s based on the popular “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” brochure and emphasizes unique and original Alabama restaurants, the growth of the farm-to- table movement, and native Alabama foods.

A section profiles food products manufactured in the state. More than two dozen Alabama photographers contributed images for the book. Karim Shamsi-Basha’s photo of Hot and Hot Fish Club’s iconic Tomato Salad is on the book’s cover.

Beginning with the 2012 tax year Alabama farmers will be allowed a state income tax credit on the purchase and installation of qualified irrigation equipment, qualified reservoirs, or the conversion of irrigation equipment from fuel to electricity.  The credit is 20% of the unreimbursed cost not to exceed $10,000.  This credit is an Alabama income tax credit only.  It does not affect Federal income tax or Self-employment tax (SE tax).

To qualify for this credit you must be an Alabama tax payer that is an agricultural business that qualifies under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) sector 11 designation, and the activity must conform to existing environmental and water laws of Alabama.  Qualifying property for this credit includes the following:

Qualified Reservoirs - An off stream upland pond or lake whose sole purpose is as a source of water for irrigation.

Qualified Irrigation Equipment