nuclear-news

USA govt and nuclear industry have got rid of too-thorough nuclear regulator Jaczko

the pressure became too great from both, several industry and government officials say. Both parties wanted to expand the use of nuclear facilities and further explore options for storing nuclear waste. Jaczko had largely put the kibosh on both

members of Congress, mostly senior Democrats, have defended Jaczko as a thoughtful and thorough regulator

Jaczko’s resignation still illustrates the influence of the nuclear industry. 

Nuclear Commission Gregory Jaczko Calls It Quits, The Daily Beast,  May 21, 2012 After a long campaign to drive the nation’s top nuclear regulator from office, NRC commissioner Greg Jaczko resigned Monday. Daniel Stone reports on how the industry claimed its casualty.

The tension had been growing for at least six months. So when Gregory Jaczko, the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, announced on Monday he’d be stepping down, it ended a long and bitter coup against America’s top nuclear regulator.

Despite his term lasting until next summer, Jaczko said in a statement
that he would be leaving early, offering a vague excuse. “After an
incredibly productive three years as chairman, I have decided this is
the appropriate time to continue my efforts to ensure public safety in
a different forum,” he said.

Nuclear insiders were surprised by the sudden announcement. In the
face of growing criticism since last fall, Jaczko had stood defiant,
refusing to step down and privately boasting that he still had the
support of the White House. Few thought he would actually heed demands
of his four other commissioners and the nuclear industry, the latter
of which opposed his nomination from the start.

But the pressure became too great from both, several industry and government officials say. Both parties wanted to expand the use of nuclear facilities and further explore options for storing nuclear waste. Jaczko had largely put the kibosh on both, most significantly
by ending research at Yucca Mountain. Many industry and scientific
groups, including the influential American Nuclear Society, have
supported continuing the review of the Nevada repository. Nearly $13
billion has already been spent on researching the site, which some
scientists believe could be the nation’s most secure place to store
spent nuclear fuel.
Neither Jaczko nor his fellow commissioners would speak to the media
on Monday. But members of Congress, mostly senior Democrats, have
defended Jaczko as a thoughtful and thorough regulator. Sen. Barbara
Boxer, who chairs the Senate’s environment and public-works committee,
blamed Jaczko’s assault on the nuclear industry, which pressured
Republicans to drive the chairman from office over costly safety
regulations, including some that he pushed after the Fukushima
disaster last year….. Jaczko’s resignation still illustrates the
influence of the nuclear industry. Last year, the U.S. government
approved two new nuclear power plants—the first in nearly 35 years.
Sites for more are currently under consideration.

May 23, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA