Duke Energy, Belews Creek Early Site Permit Application
Graphic taken from public website sources.
Who: | Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC |
What: | Application for an Early Site Permit |
When: | Application submitted December 30, 2025; application accepted and currently under review, |
Website: | https://www.duke-energy.com/our-company/about-us/power-plants |
On this page:
- Project Overview
- Key Milestones
- Topical Reports
- Public Meeting Materials and Meeting Summaries
- Audits and Audit Reports
- Exemption Requests
- Contacts
Project Overview
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is currently reviewing the Duke Energy's Early Site Permit (ESP) application for the Belews Creek Site in Stokes County, North Carolina.
Additional information on pre-application activities can be obtained from ADAMS using a search by docket number 99902121. Additional information on application activities can be obtained from ADAMS using a search by docket number 05200055.
Federal Register Notices related to this ESP application are available on the federal rulemaking website by searching for docket ID NRC-2025-2161.
Key Events and Milestones
Key Event or Milestone | Completion Date |
|---|---|
Federal Register Notice of Receipt and Availability Duke Energy Corporation; Belews Creek Early Site Permit Application (91 FR 542) issued. | January 7, 2026 – A |
Duke Energy - Application for an Early Site Permit for the Duke Energy Belews Creek, NC Site (ML25364A005) received. | December 30, 2025 – A |
Federal Register Notice of Receipt and Availability Duke Energy Corporation; Belews Creek Early Site Permit Application (91 FR 5111), week 1, issued. | February 4, 2026 – A |
Belews Creek Early Site Permit Application Acceptance and Opportunity for Hearing (ML26016A623). | February 9, 2026 – A |
Federal Register Notice of Belews Creek Early Site Permit Application Acceptance and Opportunity for Hearing (91 FR 5787) issued (ML26016A625). | February 9, 2026 – A |
Federal Register Notice of Receipt and Availability Duke Energy Corporation; Belews Creek Early Site Permit Application (91 FR 6268), week 2, issued. | February 11, 2026 – A |
Federal Register Notice of Receipt and Availability Duke Energy Corporation; Belews Creek Early Site Permit Application (91 FR 7546), week 3, issued. | February 18, 2026 – A |
Federal Register Notice of Receipt and Availability Duke Energy Corporation; Belews Creek Early Site Permit Application (91 FR 9303), week 4, issued. | February 25, 2026 – A |
Safety Review | |
Draft Safety Evaluation — Safety Evaluation sections drafted, and information gaps identified. | August 2026 - T |
Advanced Safety Evaluation — Begin NRC management, legal, and Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards review of SE sections. | March 2027 - T |
Final Safety Evaluation — Final Safety Evaluation updated and issued. | May 2027 - T |
Environmental Review | |
Issue Draft Environmental Impact Statement. | February 2027 - T |
Final Environmental Impact Statement. | May 2027 |
Hearing | TBD |
ESP Decision | TBD |
Topical Reports
Submittal Date | Title | Reference | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
None at this time. | |||
Public Meeting Materials and Meeting Summaries
Meeting Date | Title |
|---|---|
None at this time. | |
Audits and Audit Reports
Date | Title |
|---|---|
02/23/2026 | Duke Energy Belews Creek Early Site Permit Application Audit Plan (ML26042A256), issued. |
Exemption Requests
Title | Status/Report |
|---|---|
None at this time. | |
Contacts
Contacts for Clinch River Nuclear Site | |
|---|---|
Safety Project Manager (lead) | |
Safety Project Manager (co-lead) | |
Environmental Project Manager | Vacant |
Contact a Public Affairs Officer | |
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 12, 2026
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 12, 2026