ATLANTA, March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Atomic Museum Foundation has named Southern Company the recipient of the 2014 National Award of Nuclear Science and History in recognition of the company's leadership in and commitment to new nuclear development. The award was presented at the Einstein Society Gala in Albuquerque, N.M. Southern Company subsidiary Southern Nuclear's Chairman, President and CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski accepted the award.
"Nuclear power offers zero emissions, long-term economics, innovations in safety and proven reliability," said Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Thomas A. Fanning. "We are honored to be recognized for leading the way in this dominant solution for America's energy future."
As part of this commitment, Southern Company, through subsidiary Georgia Power, is building two of the first new nuclear units in a generation of Americans with the construction of Plant Vogtle units 3 and 4 in Georgia. The Vogtle project is the largest job-producing project in Georgia, employing approximately 5,000 people during peak construction, and will result in 800 permanent jobs when the plant begins operating.
Southern Nuclear is overseeing the construction and will operate the 1,100-megawatt units for Georgia Power and co-owners Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and Dalton Utilities. Southern Nuclear currently operates Plant Vogtle's two existing nuclear power units, as well as Georgia Power's Plant Hatch and Alabama Power's Plant Farley. These facilities provide 20 percent of the electricity used in Alabama and Georgia.
The National Award of Nuclear Science and History is presented annually by the National Atomic Foundation to a prominent person or organization that has made an impact on the nuclear industry. Celebrating a wide scope of achievements and commitments, the award recognizes endeavors made in the areas of military leadership, medical technology, public policy and government, energy sciences, education and space exploration.
With 4.4 million customers and nearly 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast through its subsidiaries. A leading U.S. producer of clean, safe, reliable and affordable electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for energy innovation, excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are below the national average. Southern Company and its subsidiaries are leading the nation's nuclear renaissance through the construction of the first new nuclear units to be built in a generation of Americans and are demonstrating their commitment to energy innovation through the development of a state-of-the-art coal gasification plant. Southern Company has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer and listed by DiversityInc as a top company for Blacks. The company received the 2012 Edison Award from the Edison Electric Institute for its leadership in new nuclear development, was named Electric Light & Power magazine's Utility of the Year for 2012 and is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.
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SOURCE Southern Company