BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Sept. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On Aug. 31, the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant held a groundbreaking for the construction of the Plant Hatch Energy Education Center. Construction of the new center is expected to be completed by the end of June 2016.

The Plant Hatch Energy Education Center will serve as a multipurpose facility and visitor's center for site and community functions. New and innovative exhibitions will help educate visitors on safe, clean, affordable and reliable nuclear energy.

"We're excited about our new energy education center and the enhancements it will bring to our public outreach program," said David Vineyard, Site Vice President. "This investment will help us better educate future generations on the benefits of nuclear energy as well as career opportunities at Plant Hatch."

The Plant Hatch Energy Education Center is replacing the Plant Hatch Visitor's Center, which was recently demolished to make way for the new facility. The Visitor's Center opened on Aug. 20, 1971, and U. S. President Jimmy Carter, then Georgia's governor, was in attendance and led the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"It was a sad day when our old building was demolished, but today was a good day for new opportunities," said Pamela Mays, Hatch Communications Coordinator. "We are happy to get construction underway for our energy education center and are looking forward to its completion."

Plant Hatch averages 3,500 visitors annually. Since opening its doors for visitors, the site has hosted more than half a million people including local school children.

While the Plant Hatch Energy Education Center is under construction, tours are being conducted on a limited basis. To schedule a tour, contact Pamela Mays at 800-722-7774.

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; Facebook: facebook.com/southernnuclear;

www.southerncompany.com/southernnuclear

About Southern Company:

With more than 4.5 million customers and approximately 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, listed by DiversityInc as a top company for Blacks and designated a 2014 Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company received the 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