NEWS RELEASE

NEI Comments on Impending Nomination of Allison Macfarlane as NRC Chairman

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Nuclear Energy Institute’s president and chief executive officer, Marvin Fertel, made the following remarks in reaction to the White House’s announcement today that it intends to nominate Allison Macfarlane to be a commissioner on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and to serve as chairman of the commission.

“The nuclear energy industry congratulates Professor Macfarlane on her selection by the president. She has been an active contributor to policy debates in the nuclear energy field for many years.

“Given the importance of having a fully functioning, five-member commission to carry out the NRC’s safety mission, the nuclear energy industry urges the administration to submit her confirmation paperwork as expeditiously as possible. It would not serve the public interest to have her nomination linger with the term of Commissioner Kristine Svinicki set to expire at the end of June. We urge the Senate to confirm both Commissioner Svinicki and Professor Macfarlane expeditiously.

“The NRC must continue to be an effective, credible regulator if the nation is to maximize nuclear energy’s role in achieving America’s economic growth and energy security.”