Duke Energy plans to replace its existing coal power plants with nuclear reactors before 2040. These power plants take an average of 10 years to build.
Duke Energy submitted an early site permit application for potential new nuclear development in North Carolina.
Duke is asking federal regulators to approve a site near the Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County for possible nuclear development to replace the existing coal-burning units.
The utility says the permit would reduce future costs and the risk of delays if it builds a new nuclear plant there. Duke previously estimated that the application would cost around $35 million. The plant itself would cost billions.
