Jeremy L. Dillon
RW Monitor
6/6/2014
Senate Republicans called on the Obama Administration this week to move quickly to address two looming vacancies at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In the near-term, NRC Commissioner George Apostolakis’ term is set to expire at the end of this month, but the Administration so far has remained silent on its intentions for a nominee. In addition, Commissioner William Magwood has been named to take over as Director General of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Nuclear Energy Agency in September. During a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing this week, Ranking Member David Vitter (R-La.) said, “I would like to state my concern on the lack of communication from the NRC or the Administration about the re-nomination of Commissioner Apostolakis whose term is up at the end of this month, as well as a replacement for Commissioner Magwood when he vacates his seat later this year.” Vitter added, “Keeping these positions filled by qualified individuals must remain a priority to ensure the safety of our constituents and for our nation’s economy. I urge the Administration to act on this quickly so that the Commission can continue its important work without interruption or distractions.”
While Apostolakis was a Democratic-backed nominee to the Commission, his recusal from decisions on the now-shuttered Yucca Mountain repository, along with his risk probability informed decision-making, has endeared him to some Republican lawmakers. “I’m also concerned that the progress that the NRC has made could be undone if we do not have qualified individuals in all commissioner slots on the Commission,” Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said during the hearing. “For example, Commissioner Apostolakis, his term is ending at the end of this month, yet the administration has failed to re-nominate him for this position. I don’t understand the rationale. The commissioner is a vital member of the Commission with years of experience. I would suggest that the president re-nominate him as soon as possible so we can maintain a full commission that continues to protect our communities by ensuring nuclear safety.”
Among those seen as potential replacement candidates for the impending NRC vacancies, RW Monitor has learned, are Phillip Niedzielski-Eichner, the current chief of staff for NRC Chair Allison Macfarlane; Sam Fowler, a long-time Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee aide; and Mary Louise Wagner, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz’s Senior Nuclear Policy Advisor. It remains unclear whom the Administration will nominate, but it is widely assumed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will have some say in the decision. Previous NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko had been a Reid staffer before being named to the Commission.
