Senate committee confirms new NRC chairwoman

Rollcall has reported that the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee has voted to confirm Dr. Allison Macfarlane as the next chairwoman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), to complete the final year of outgoing Chairman Greg Jaczko's term. At the same time, the committee re-confirmed NRC Commissioner Kristine Svinicki for a second five year term. EPW Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) fully supports the Macfarlane confirmation, while opposing Svinicki, stating:

"I am pleased that the Committee approved the President's nominee, Dr. Macfarlane, because she brings the critical experience, intelligence, scientific background, and integrity that we need in the NRC Chairman. I could not support Commissioner Svinicki's re-nomination, because I do not believe that she has demonstrated the commitment to safety that the American people have a right to expect in this post-Fukushima era."

The full U.S. Senate will now vote on the nominations.