Last week, One NorthEast (ONE) issued a £50,000 document inviting tenders to put forward a business plan for nuclear development in the region.
Although ONE is re-writing the tender, the document was enough to spark fears that the 17-year fight from Druridge Bay Campaign, that drove plans to build a power station at Druridge Bay off the map in 1996, may be back on track.
Bridget Gubbins, of Druridge Bay Campaign, said if the Government sees through its plans to put nuclear energy on its agenda, then the group would be "kept alive".
"The Government is showing signs that it's in favour of nuclear power stations," she said.
"While Druridge Bay probably wouldn't be on the immediate hit-list, it's one of the few suitable sites in the country.
Mrs Gubbins said a nuclear station at the popular spot would have a "horrendous" environmental impact.
Alan Beith MP said he would "vigorously oppose" plans to use Druridge Bay, although he expressed doubt over whether this is likely as the emphasis is on using existing sites.
"I remain unconvinced by the case for further development of nuclear power facilities, especially given the huge public subsidy that would be needed and the fact we still don't know what to do with the waste."
Fiona Hall, North East MEP who chaired Druridge Bay Campaign for some time, said: "In the 1980s, local campaigners fought and won the battle to save Druridge Bay. With the revitalisation of the area such a development would be even more inappropriate now than it was then."
Mark Rutherford, ONE head of business productivity, said: "It is not ONE's role to propose the building of new power stations. However, it is our role to ensure the region's businesses have the nest possible opportunities to take advantage of any nuclear decommissioning or new build programmes wherever they may be."