Steve Capps
Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer
Duke Energy
Steven Capps serves as senior vice president and chief nuclear officer at Duke Energy, overseeing the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the nation’s largest regulated nuclear generating fleet. He is accountable for maintaining regulatory compliance, operational excellence and fostering a strong nuclear safety culture across all facilities.
Capps has more than 38 years of experience in the nuclear field. Before assuming his current position in March 2026, he served as senior vice president of nuclear development and operations support. In this role, he managed new nuclear projects, license renewals and key corporate functions that support the current nuclear fleet, including engineering, training, protective services, forecasting, planning and project controls. He worked closely with operations leadership to ensure the safe and reliable performance of Duke Energy’s nuclear facilities.
Previously, Capps held the role of senior vice president of nuclear operations, where he was responsible for the safe and reliable operation of the company’s nuclear facilities in South Carolina. He has also served as senior vice president of nuclear corporate, overseeing engineering, major projects, corporate governance, operational support and organizational effectiveness.
Earlier in his career, Capps served as site vice president of McGuire Nuclear Station in Huntersville, N.C. He oversaw all aspects of the two-unit, pressurized water-reactor facility, including operations, maintenance, chemistry and radiation protection, engineering, nuclear and industrial safety and business operations.
He joined the company in 1987 as a field engineer at Oconee Nuclear Station in Seneca, S.C., and held various leadership roles, including senior reactor operator, shift technical advisor, and mechanical and civil engineering manager. Capps later became McGuire’s engineering manager and plant manager before advancing to site vice president.
The Westminster, S.C., native graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. Capps has completed the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations’ (INPO) senior nuclear plant management course and earned a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Senior Reactor Operator License for Oconee Nuclear Station.
Capps and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons and a daughter.
