Workers at Vogtle nuclear expansion top 25 million safe work hours

6,000+ workers mark safety streak with no lost time accidents since December 2014

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Oct 19, 2016, 03:53 ET

ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power announced today a major milestone in the construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 – more than 25 million safe work hours (without a lost time accident) have been logged by the more than 6,000 construction workers on site since December 2014. The Vogtle expansion is the state's largest job-producing construction project with work taking place around the clock to complete the nation's first new nuclear units in more than 30 years.

Six-plus years of construction in two minutes

"Safety is our first priority and we're dedicated, in every task we do, to ensuring that these units are completed safely, correctly and in a way that will deliver the most value for Georgia electric customers," said Mark Rauckhorst, executive vice president of nuclear development. "We will never compromise in our commitment to safe and high-quality construction and I applaud our entire Vogtle construction team for reaching this milestone."

Georgia Power is documenting the daily progress made at the Vogtle expansion and has posted an updated time lapse video on its YouTube Channel highlighting six years of construction work in less than two minutes. So far this year, thousands of workers from across the country worked together to safely place more than 2,200 tons of rebar, weld more than 4,300 tons of structural steel, pour more than 23,500 cubic yards of concrete and lift numerous multi-million pound modules for the units into place.

Most recently, workers placed six new shield building panels for Unit 3. Nearly 50 steel panels are now in place for the shield building, which encapsulates the Unit 3 containment vessel. The reinforced individual panels can weigh 10 tons or more and be filled with concrete. Once fully assembled, including more than 160 individual panels, the shield building will provide structural support of the containment cooling water supply and protect the containment vessel, which houses the reactor vessel and associated equipment.

Georgia Power delivers reliable energy for customers at the lowest possible cost by leveraging a diverse generation mix, including nuclear, 21st century coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar and wind. To learn more about Georgia Power's diverse generation portfolio and the Vogtle nuclear expansion project visit www.GeorgiaPower.com.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.5 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. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny05YVhFyHE&feature=youtu.be
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050216/CLW066LOGO

SOURCE Georgia Power