March 17, 2014

NRC CHAIRMAN JACZKO RESIGNS, SUCCESSOR TO BE NOMINATED ‘SOON’

By ExchangeMonitor

Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner Gregory Jaczko abruptly resigned yesterday, pending the confirmation of a successor, catching most in the nuclear industry by surprise and raising questions about the content of an internal review that was set to be released within 30 days. Jaczko’s announcement yesterday follows several months of public scrutiny of his allegedly manipulative and abusive management style, following an Oct. 13 letter to the White House from the other four Commissioners expressing “grave concerns” about the chairman. White House assistant press secretary Clark Stevens told RW Monitor that a successor would be chosen in short order. “The President appreciates Chairman Jaczko’s service and efforts to further the mission of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission—to license and regulate the nation’s use of nuclear materials. … We intend to nominate a new chairman soon.”

Fellow NRC Commissioner Kristine Svinicki, whose term expires June 30, was put forth by the White House for renomination earlier this month. Hearings to confirm a new Chairman to replace Jaczko, a Democratic appointee, could coincide with those to renominate Republican Svinicki, with the bipartisan combination helping to facilitate quick Senate approval prior to the end of Svinicki’s term.

Jaczko’s resignation comes just as an NRC Inspector General report on Jaczko’s managerial style was poised to be released publicly. The report has been discussed with Congressional staffers, an aide with the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works told RW Monitor last week, though only the scope and not any of the report findings. It is unclear if, should Jaczko’s successor be approved quickly, the IG report will be released publicly at all. Jaczko faced allegations of harassment, intimidation and manipulation from his fellow Commissioners in a pair of hearings in the House and Senate in December, with the four other commissioners and NRC Executive Director of Operations Bill Borchardt all testifying that Jaczko has withheld information from the Commission and has intimidated NRC staff and other commissioners.

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