Harnessing the Power of the Atom Southern Company's new nuclear units in Georgia will create 3,500 construction jobs and 800 high-paying permanent jobs

Harnessing the Power of the Atom

By Buzz Miller Sep 08, 2010

Southern Company's new nuclear units in Georgia will create 3,500 construction jobs and 800 high-paying permanent jobs Despite the economic downturn, the population of the southeastern United States continues to increase. Moreover, that growth is expected to hasten as the economy rebounds. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 40 percent of the U.S. population will live in the South by 2030.  The state of Georgia alone is expected to grow by 4 million people over that same period, boosting the state’s electrical demand by nearly 30 percent.

As a result, a comprehensive approach to maintaining reliable and affordable supplies of electricity for this region’s economy is paramount.  Along with increased energy efficiency and conservation, and expanded use of renewables, natural gas and 21st century coal, it will be essential to build new nuclear power generation, the only proven large-scale generating technology that produces no greenhouse gas emissions.

Southern Company has a 30-year track record of safely, securely and efficiently operating nuclear plants in Georgia and Alabama. Three nuclear plants, each with two generating units ─ Plant Hatch near Baxley, Ga., Plant Farley near Columbia, Ala., and Plant Vogtle near Augusta, Ga. ─ currently serve customers across our region