Area residents eager to learn how an atomic energy plant operates will have their chance next week.

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station will host its annual community information night from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

"Guests will be able to see a lot and will learn three big things -- how the plant operates, what we do for the community and what we do for the environment," said Lacey Dean, spokeswoman for Peach Bottom.

The event is free and will illustrate how the power station uses atomic energy to power two million homes and businesses, she said.

Peach Bottom is expecting 400 attendees, who will get to meet employees and learn about upgrades made in response to a nuclear disaster in Japan last year. Those upgrades include improvements to the cooling system and flood equipment.Visitors can take a guided bus tour of the site and can also see the plant's main control room simulator, where reactor operators are trained and tested.

"Meeting and engaging our neighbors is very important to us," said Tom Dougherty, vice president at the Peach Bottom site.

Guests are asked to park in the station's outer lot at 1848 Lay Rd. Buses will then transport visitors to the training center.

If special accommodations are required or for more information, contact Dean at 456-4818 or Lacey.Dean@exceloncorp.com.

-- Candy Woodall can also be reached at cwoodall@yorkdispatch.com.