ATLANTA, Oct. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power announced today that it is hosting, and participating in, a series of special local events to mark National Nuclear Science Week, Oct. 21-25, 2013. 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 awareness of new nuclear technologies and careers within the industry.

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

• Workforce Development Day (Tuesday, Oct. 22): No-cost event for regional high school and college students to interact with current nuclear professionals, view informative exhibits and learn about careers in nuclear energy – from nuclear medicine to emerging technology. Registration required. Kroc Center, 1833 Broad St., Augusta, Ga. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Plant Vogtle site visits (Wednesday, Oct. 23 and Friday, Oct. 25): No-cost event for local middle and high school students 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 has a history of focusing 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, more than 70,000 people have learned about nuclear energy through programs and events coordinated by the plants.  

To learn more about National 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.

Nuclear energy continues to thrive in Georgia. The construction of Vogtle units 3 and 4, among the first new nuclear units to be built in the United States in three decades, represents a $14 billion capital investment in the state, creating approximately 5,000 on-site construction jobs and 800 high-paying permanent jobs.  When operational, the new units will produce enough reliable electricity to power 500,000 Georgia homes and businesses.

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 capital expenditures, job creation, and future generation. 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, 2012, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information:  the impact of recent and future federal and state regulatory changes, as well as changes in application of existing laws and regulations; ability to control costs and avoid cost overruns during the development and construction of the Plant Vogtle expansion, to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses, and to satisfy any operational and environmental performance standards; regulatory approvals and actions related to the Plant Vogtle expansion, including Georgia Public Service Commission approvals, Nuclear Regulatory Commission actions, and potential U.S. Department of Energy loan guarantees; the inherent risks involved in operating and constructing nuclear generating facilities, including environmental, health, regulatory, natural disaster, terrorism, and financial risks; and the ability of counterparties of Georgia Power Company to make payments as and when due and to perform as required. Georgia Power Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information.

SOURCE Georgia Power