ATLANTA, Oct. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power announced today that it is celebrating national Nuclear Science Week again this year by hosting and participating in a series of special local events in and around the company's Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, Ga. The annual celebration is organized to draw attention to all aspects of nuclear science and the vital role it plays in the lives of Americans, as well as encourage education and highlight the energy careers of tomorrow. The week is especially poignant in Georgia as the construction of Plant Vogtle units 3 and 4 continues to progress, employing more than 5,000 workers currently as the largest job-producing project in the state.

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), nearly 20 percent of the nation's electricity is currently generated from nuclear power plants. With more than 60 new nuclear units currently under construction around the world and nuclear energy poised to play a critical role in the face of increasing pressure from environmental regulation in the U.S.,  Nuclear Science Week provides a valuable week-long opportunity for local students to explore the various elements of nuclear science and consider future careers.

Throughout the week, representatives from Georgia Power, as well as Southern Nuclear, will attend events and panel discussions throughout Augusta, Ga. and Aiken, S.C. The companies are also presenting several educational opportunities for local students in Augusta and nearby at Plant Vogtle.

• STEM Career Connections Day (Thursday, Oct. 23): No-cost event for regional high school juniors and seniors considering a career pathway that involves science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills.  During the forum, students, teachers, guidance counselors and career specialists will interact with current professionals in nuclear technology and other high-tech industries while learning about "hot" career topics. Registration required. Kroc Center, 1833 Broad St., Augusta, Ga. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Plant Vogtle Site Visits (Monday, Oct. 20 and Friday, Oct. 24): No-cost events offering local middle and high school students the opportunity to view the day-to-day operations of the facility, ways technology is at work and interact with young professionals currently working in the nuclear industry. Registration required.  

Georgia Power places a year-round focus on education at both of its nuclear facilities, Plant Vogtle and Plant Hatch near Baxley. The company reaches thousands of students and teachers each year through an extensive public education and engagement program. Since 2007, approximately 80,000 people have learned about nuclear energy through programs and events coordinated by the plants.  

To learn more about Nuclear Science Week, visit www.nuclearscienceweek.org/. For more information about events in Georgia and at Plant Vogtle, visit www.srscro.org/national-nuclear-science-week.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of the nation's largest generators of electricity.  Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind.  Consistently recognized as a leader in customer service, Georgia Power was recently ranked highest in overall business customer satisfaction among large utilities in the South by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning job creation. Georgia Power Company cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia Power Company; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Georgia Power Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: ability to control costs and avoid cost overruns during the development and construction of facilities; ability to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses, to satisfy any operational and environmental performance standards, and to integrate the Plant Vogtle expansion into the Southern Company system upon completion of construction; regulatory approvals and actions related to the Plant Vogtle expansion; the inherent risks involved in operating and constructing nuclear generating facilities; the direct or indirect effect on Georgia Power Company's business resulting from terrorist incidents and the threat of terrorist incidents, including cyber intrusion; and catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, hurricanes, droughts, pandemic health events such as influenzas, or other similar occurrences. Georgia Power Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information.

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SOURCE Georgia Power