Progress Energy has awarded a five-year maintenance and support contract for its fleet of nuclear reactors in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida to Maintenance Services Company (BWB), a joint venture between Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Maintenance Services, Inc. and Bartlett Holdings, Inc.

Under the terms of the contract, BWB will support Progress Energy’s nuclear fleet with maintenance and craft services, project execution, radiation protection, health physics, and other services.

BWB is transitioning into the new role, beginning facility assessments in preparation to support three major maintenance and refueling outages planned for spring 2012.

Meanwhile, in separate news the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved the transfer of indirect control of Progress Energy’s nuclear power plants to include Duke Energy as the ultimate parent corporation on the licenses. The action was part of the proposed merger of the two companies.

Progress Energy Carolinas and Progress Energy Florida will continue to have the responsibilities associated with owning and operating their nuclear plants.