The National Labor and Management Public Affairs Committee has named Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Thomas A. Fanning as a recipient of the 2015 John D. Dingell Award. Fanning and North America's Building Trades Unions President Sean F. McGarvey will be presented the award at a reception in Washington, D.C. this evening. Fanning and McGarvey were recognized for their shared commitment to new nuclear development and partnership in building two of the nation's first nuclear units in more than 30 years at Southern Company subsidiary Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle.

Named for the longest-serving member of Congress, the John D. DingellAward is presented to leaders whose efforts have helped to advance the common objectives of the electric power industry and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) members. Mr. Dingell served as Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee for many years, where he amassed an impressive record of accomplishments on a wide range of issues, many of which focused on labor management collaboration. 

"Leading the way in new nuclear development requires a shared focus on safety and quality as the highest priorities," said Fanning. "This award is a tribute to the thousands of men and women dedicated to ensuring nuclear remains a dominant solution for America's energy future through the construction of Vogtle units 3 and 4."

Under Fanning's leadership, the Southern Company system has committed $20 billion to developing the full portfolio of energy resources – nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency. As part of this commitment, Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle units 3 and 4 are designed to generate enough combined electricity to power 500,000 homes and businesses. The Vogtle project is the largest job-producing project in Georgia, currently employing more than 5,500 construction workers onsite, and will result in 800 permanent jobs when the plant begins operating. 

Subsidiary Southern Nuclear is overseeing the construction and will operate the units for Georgia Power and co-owners Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and Dalton Utilities. Southern Nuclear currently operates Plant Vogtle's two existing nuclear power units, as well as Georgia Power's Plant Hatch and subsidiary Alabama Power's Plant Farley. These facilities provide 20 percent of the electricity used in Alabama and Georgia.

Fanning's nuclear leadership extends beyond Southern Company. He is a member of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations board of directors and the World Association of Nuclear Operators – Atlanta Centre governing board. In addition, Fanning serves as chairman of the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council, vice chairman of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), a member of the international advisory board of the Atlantic Council and chair of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

National LAMPAC – a joint effort of EEI and IBEW – is a labor and management public affairs committee created in 2008 to advance the common objectives of the electric power industry and IBEW members. Through National LAMPAC, labor leaders and electric utility executives advance the common goals of a well-managed, efficient business, with a ready supply of qualified, skilled workers and the hope of greater prosperity and growth.