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