Steve Jaczko, Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), announced his resignation this week amidst unflattering reports of his leadership and congressional hearings. Jaczko spent three years as Chairman and more than 7 years on the Commission. He will step down after a successor is confirmed, or after June of 2013, when his term would have ended.
His tenure was marked by efforts to address longstanding safety concerns at nuclear reactors across the U.S., although these efforts were viewed with skepticism by those in the industry, according to the New York Times. Jaczko was criticized for ending the government’s consideration of the proposed Yucca mountain nuclear waste site, and for assuming emergency powers at the NRC in the wake of the nuclear reactor meltdown in Fukishima last year.
It’s unclear who will be nominated for the appointment, but POLITICO’s Morning Energy listed two possibilities: “Allison Macfarlane, a George Mason University environmental science professor who was considered in 2005 before the spot went to Jaczko, and Dave Lochbaum, the director of the Union of Concerned Scientists’ nuclear program”.
What changes do you expect a new NRC Chairperson to bring to the agency? How would you change the NRC?
The White House has already announced Allison MacFarlane to succeed Jaczko. She will be responsive only to the same interests that guided Jaczko. There will be more 4-1 votes, but… Read more »
I very much agree with Albert: “Without confidence in a strong commitment to futrue nuclear power plants and competent fuel cycle management, the nation cannot count on nucler power additions”.… Read more »
We will need to keep nuclear in the portfolio and expand it in an effort to displace coal-fired base load generation. At the same time we MUST come to grips… Read more »