The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a 20-year license renewal for Georgia Power's Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant near Baxley, extending operations for Unit 1 through 2054 and Unit 2 through 2058.

The approval allows each reactor to operate for up to 80 years total. The units originally received licenses to operate in the mid-1970s, with the NRC approving a previous 20-year extension in 2002.

Plant Hatch is co-owned by Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and Dalton Utilities. Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), operates the facility on behalf of the co-owners.

The facility began operations in 1975 and marked 50 years of operation last year. Nuclear energy from Plants Hatch and Vogtle provided nearly 30 percent of Georgia Power's overall energy production last year, according to the company.

"Our nuclear facilities provide reliable energy around the clock at a stable, predictable cost, and are central to how we deliver on this commitment," said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power.

The NRC's decision followed a comprehensive safety and environmental review of the plant's operating performance, aging management programs and compliance with federal regulations. The commission determined Plant Hatch can continue to operate safely throughout the subsequent license renewal period.

Over the past 20 years, the co-owners have invested in improvements including replacement of Unit 2 cooling towers, key components such as transformers and pumps, and construction of an energy education center and second onsite simulator for operator training.

The plant supports hundreds of jobs and contributes millions of dollars in property taxes to Appling County and surrounding communities annually.