(CHARLOTTE) -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the transfer of indirect control of Progress Energy's nuclear plants.  The transfer approval is part of the necessary moves in the proposed merger of the North Carolina based utilities.

The NRC has approved Duke Energy as the ultimate parent corporation on the licenses for the facilities. According to the application, Progress Energy's two business units, Progress Energy Carolinas and Progress Energy Florida, will continue to have the responsibilities associated with owning and operating their nuclear stations.

Progress Energy Carolinas operates units 1 and 2 at Brunswick Steam Electric Plant, Southport, N.C.; Shearon Harris Nuclear Power plant unit 1, New Hill, N.C.; and H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant unit 2, Hartsville, S.C. Progress Energy Florida operates Crystal River Nuclear Generating Plant unit 3, Crystal River, Fla.

Duke Energy operates McGuire Nuclear Station units 1 and 2, Huntersville, N.C.; Catawba Nuclear Station units 1 and 2, York County, S.C.; and Oconee Nuclear Station units 1, 2 and 3, Oconee County, S.C.

No physical changes will be made to the facilities and there will be no changes in day-to-day operations, according to the NRC application.