BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Dec. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant has been selected to receive the prestigious 2013 Information Systems on Occupational Exposure (ISOE) World-Class ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) Performance Award.

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"This award represents an affirmation by our industry peers of the dedication to radiological safety by the work force at Farley," said Southern Nuclear President and CEO Steve Kuczynski. "This accomplishment is a direct result of the engagement by the radiation workers supporting the plant during refueling outages and during power generation."

The ISOE system was created in 1992 to provide a means for radiation protection professionals from around the world to share ways to optimize radiological protection services at nuclear power plants like Plant Farley. By sharing operating experience and best practices, every nuclear power plant becomes a safer environment in which its employees can work. 

At Plant Farley, employees utilized the information they gathered to effect significant improvements in radiological safety. For example, the Dose Savers Program was used as an incentive during refueling outages and other major projects to keep workers focused on low collective radiation exposure for everyone involved.

"There was strong competition for this year's award," said Plant Farley Site Vice President Cheryl Gayheart. "Many plants submitted comprehensive applications for consideration by the judging panel. The criteria for the award includes dose reduction achievement over multiple years, management support of the ALARA program and information sharing through benchmarking, peer evaluations and use of the ISOE program. This year, thanks to our commitment to work ALARA, the Farley team rose to the top."

ISOE is jointly sponsored by the Nuclear Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency.  ISOE participation includes members from 58 utilities in 27 countries and involves 437 reactor units.

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 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 Diversity Inc 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.

SOURCE Southern Company