Most Clicked NEI SmartBrief Stories
1. Obama nominates Allison Macfarlane to head NRC
NEI SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
President Barack Obama has nominated radioactive-waste expert and George Mason University professor Allison Macfarlane to lead the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The Nuclear Energy Institute has called on the Senate to confirm Macfarlane and reconfirm NRC Commissioner Kristine Svinicki. "We urge the Senate to confirm both Commissioner Svinicki and professor Macfarlane expeditiously," said Marvin Fertel, NEI's president and CEO. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (05/24) National Journal (05/24)
2. NRC head says resignation not linked to abusive-behavior claims
NEI SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko said his decision to resign isn't related to an internal probe of claims that he mistreated agency staff. "Any inspector general report had nothing to do with this decision," he said. He has denied the allegations, and said he is focused on his job. Wall Street Journal, The (05/23)
3. Progress CEO sees bright future for nuclear industry
NEI SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
The construction of new U.S. nuclear plants will be more modest in the near term compared with earlier expectations, but the industry's prospects in the future are strong, said William Johnson, chairman, president and CEO of Progress Energy. The development of new reactors in Georgia and South Carolina are key milestones, but the need for large baseload facilities has weakened, Johnson said during the Nuclear Energy Institute's Nuclear Energy Assembly in North Carolina. The industry will focus on the growth of nuclear projects overseas while it waits for market conditions in the U.S. to improve, he said. American City Business Journals (05/23)
4. Sen. Reid is open to Jaczko's lengthened stay at NRC
NEI SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., welcomed the idea of Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko remaining at his post until the White House appoints a successor. Jaczko's term expires in June 2013. "We hope to have a replacement before that. But if we don't, [Jaczko] will be there for the duration," Reid said. Hill, The (05/22)
5. Report: Radiation not a factor in Fukushima worker fatalities
NEI SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
The deaths of the six former Fukushima Daiichi plant workers in the aftermath of the nuclear incident were unrelated to radiation, according to a report being prepared by the U.N. Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. There are also "no clinically observable effects" on the skins of several workers who were exposed to radiation during the incident, the report found. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (05/23)
6. Approve Macfarlane and let the NRC focus on its work
NEI SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
With Gregory Jaczko's resignation from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, it's time to get a new chairman approved quickly, writes The Washington Post editorial board. Getting nominee Allison Macfarlane installed will allow the NRC to focus on its work, including updating and streamlining an approval system for second-generation reactors. "Lawmakers must thoroughly -- but promptly -- consider her, as well as Kristine L. Svinicki, a Republican commissioner Mr. Obama recently renominated," the editorial board writes. Washington Post, The (05/24)
7. NRC needs strong leadership to guarantee nuclear safety
NEI SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
The U.S. is losing a staunch supporter of nuclear safety with the resignation of Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko, who was always eager to make public safety a priority, writes the editorial board of The New York Times. George Mason University professor Allison Macfarlane, who was nominated by the White House for the position, will need to be as aggressive and independent as Jaczko, the board argues: "The commission needs strong and expert leadership to ensure that nuclear power is made as safe as possible." New York Times (tiered subscription model), The (05/25)
8. NRC commissioners to testify at House panel hearing next week
NEI SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing next week about the internal strife in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Outgoing NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko and the four other commissioners of the agency will testify at the hearing. "We have been actively monitoring the NRC during these tumultuous times and will continue our oversight. With these latest developments along with numerous outstanding issues, we look forward to hearing directly from all of the NRC commissioners," the committee's top Republicans said in a statement. Hill, The (05/22)
9. Appeals court upholds decision in favor of Maine Yankee
NEI SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
A court decision awarding Maine Yankee Atomic Power about $81.69 million in damages for the federal government's failure to remove high-level radioactive waste from the company's decommissioned reactor site in Maine was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals. The ruling is "good news" for the customers of the three Yankee firms, said Wayne Norton, Maine Yankee's chief nuclear officer. "We urge the federal government to fulfill its commitment to remove the spent fuel and greater-than-Class C waste from our sites without further delay and to stop pursuing a strategy of filing costly appeals that are not beneficial to ratepayers or taxpayers," he said. Bangor Daily News (Maine) (free registration) (05/22)
10. Jaczko notes progress in resolving issues at new nuclear projects
NEI SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko noted progress in efforts to remedy some construction concerns at the two expansion projects approved by the agency. The NRC discovered a problem with the steel rebar used to strengthen concrete at the facilities, but those concerns have been addressed, Jaczko said. "We have identified issues ... and so far both the licensees appear to be approaching those resolutions in the right way," said Jaczko, referring to the V.C. Summer project in South Carolina and the Plant Vogtle project in Georgia. Charlotte Observer (N.C.), The (05/24)
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