BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Plant operators safely took Unit 2 of the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant offline Oct. 14 to investigate the cause of the loss of a support system following a lightning strike on an electrical transmission line near the plant. Because the unit was already in the process of coasting down for a scheduled refueling and maintenance outage, the decision was made to leave the unit offline and begin the refueling and maintenance outage on Oct. 15.

Each unit at Plant Farley requires new fuel every 18 months. In addition to refueling the reactor and performing regular maintenance and testing, workers will make upgrades to plant systems and components.

"The key to a safe and successful outage is our outstanding employees and supporting partners," said Site Vice President Cheryl Gayheart. "Safety is our number one priority during the outage. I am proud of the preparations we have made, and our entire team is ready to accomplish this refueling outage safely using our expertise and teamwork."

Employees from across the Southern Nuclear fleet are assisting Farley's staff of more than 900 in the refueling effort. More than 800 additional workers from Westinghouse, Siemens, Williams and other partners are on site performing specialized tasks. This supplemental workforce provides economic stimulus to surrounding communities during the planning stages and throughout the outage.

Farley Unit 1 continues to safely generate electricity while Unit 2 is offline and refueling.

About Southern Nuclear:
Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is one of the nation's leading nuclear energy facility operators. Producing safe, reliable and environmentally friendly nuclear energy, Southern Nuclear operates a total of six units for Alabama Power and Georgia Power at the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan, Ala.; the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant near Baxley, Ga., and the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant near Waynesboro, Ga. Southern Nuclear is the licensee of two new nuclear units currently under construction at Plant Vogtle, which will be the first nuclear units constructed in the United States in more than 30 years. Southern Nuclear employs more than 3,500 skilled and dedicated professionals who are committed each day to nuclear and personal safety and the health and safety of the public. The company's headquarters is based in Birmingham, Ala. Twitter: @SouthernNuclear.

About Alabama Power
Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company, provides reliable, affordable power to 1.4 million customers across the state.

About Southern Company:
With 4.4 million customers and more than 43,000 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