BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Unit 1 of the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan, Ala. has safely resumed generating electricity following post-maintenance testing on a diesel generator. Electricity production resumed today at 11:01 a.m. CT.

Unit 1 was safely taken offline on July 27 at 3:03 a.m. CT in accordance with nuclear processes and procedures, while employees completed repairs on the 1B diesel generator. During routine maintenance activities for the diesel generator, Plant Farley employees discovered that it did not perform as expected. While investigating the issue, workers learned that an engine cooling valve did not function correctly.

Employees have now completed the diesel generator repairs and testing and have returned it to service.

"The Plant Farley team conducted the repair and testing activities on the diesel generator in a secure and efficient manner, and unit 1 has been safely returned to service," said Plant Farley Vice President Tom Lynch. "I want to thank the employees of Farley and the entire Southern Nuclear fleet for working together to achieve success."

Plant Farley unit 2 continues to produce electricity safely and reliably at 100 percent power.

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.

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. A leading U.S. producer of 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 excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are below the national average. Southern Company also 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 Nuclear Communications