The Nuclear Regulatory Commission had kind words for one of its outgoing commissioners at her last public meeting this week.
Commissioner Annie Caputo, whose three-year term ends June 30, was honored by NRC chair Christopher Hanson during the agency’s midyear review meeting held Tuesday. Hanson said that he had “no doubt” that Caputo would continue to be involved in NRC’s work even after her departure from the commission.
“This isn’t a goodbye,” Hanson said, “but rather a recognition of your work over the years and a sincere expression of thanks.”
Caputo thanked her fellow commissioners as well as NRC staff.
“I have developed a huge respect for the staff that I didn’t have in my previous capacities, and have relished working with them during my time here,” Caputo said.
Prior to assuming the role of commissioner in 2018, Caputo was a senior policy advisor for Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) before that. She also served as a nuclear energy specialist on the House Energy and Commerce committee.
Caputo’s departure will whittle the commission down to just three members: Hanson, Jeff Baran, and David Wright. There has been a vacancy on the five-member committee since January when former NRC chair Kristine Svinicki stepped down. At deadline Friday for RadWaste Monitor the Joe Biden administration had yet to nominate someone to fill Svinicki’s seat.
The commission’s political balance will also shift after June 30. Hanson and Baran are both Democrats — Wright and Caputo are Republicans. By law, no more than three commissioners can belong to the same political party.
At deadline Friday for RadWaste Monitor the Biden administration hadn’t signaled who would be taking Caputo’s place, either.
