Duke Energy submitted an early site permit application to the NRC for potential new nuclear at its Belews Creek site in North Carolina in December 2025, following October 2025 plans to invest more heavily in nuclear. The early site permit evaluates site suitability independent of reactor technology — Duke is evaluating both large reactors and SMRs. Duke serves approximately 8 million customers across the US southeast and has committed to significant clean energy investment through 2035.