- Duke Power is applying to build two new nuclear reactors, and one of the sites being considered is in Davie County.

The old Perkins site, 1,800 acres in southeastern Davie along Riverview Road and on the Yadkin River, has been in Duke Power’s hands since a bid for a nuclear power generating plant failed decades ago.

Duke Power also owns land - about 1,600 acres - across from Davie County, along the Yadkin River in Davidson County.

Davie County Manager Terry Bralley said that Duke Power has been in contact with his office to let him know the local site is being considered. The $6 billion plant would employ some 1,000 people, and nearly double the county’s tax base (now at $3.3 billion). Bralley said that Duke Power is considering 11 sites in North and South Carolina.

Duke’s announcement comes on the heels of passage of the federal Energy Policy Act, which encourages companies to generate electricity by means other than fossil fuels and offers incentives to companies which do that.

Duke Power is expected to name a site in December or early January, and after that, will apply to the U.S. Energy Regulatory Commission for two Westinghouse Advanced Passive 1000 (AP1000) reactors.

The company has called area residents asking about their opinions of a nuclear reactor.

Bralley said Davie County has made no promises to Duke Power, although the Perkins site is already zoned. The county’s incentive for new business usually amounts to two percent of the investment, but that isn’t a written policy, he said.

“Our employees have proven that nuclear generation can provide safe, reliable and cost-effective electricity for our customers," said Brew Barron, Duke Power chief nuclear officer. "Preparing this application provides us the option to continue using a diverse fuel mix in the future."

There are five nuclear power units in North Carolina, two within two miles of Southport, one 20 miles from Raleigh, and two 17 miles from Charlotte.

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