NEWS RELEASE

Nuclear Energy Industry Congratulates Macfarlane, Svinicki on NRC Confirmation

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Nuclear Energy Institute’s president and chief executive officer, Marvin Fertel, made the following remarks in reaction to the U.S. Senate vote today to confirm Allison Macfarlane and Kristine Svinicki as commissioners at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

“The nuclear energy industry congratulates both Allison Macfarlane on her confirmation as a commissioner at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and designation by President Obama as chairman, and Kristine Svinicki on her confirmation to a second term as NRC commissioner. I applaud the Senate for carrying out its confirmation responsibilities in a timely fashion. The industry, NEI’s staff and I personally look forward to working with them and their fellow commissioners as they carry forward the agency’s safety mission.

“These are important and challenging times with regard to America’s energy policies and its future energy security. As our economy emerges from its current duress, businesses and manufacturing facilities will need reliable supplies of affordable electricity that nuclear energy facilities generate.

“The safe and efficient operation of existing nuclear energy facilities and expansion of the industry require that the NRC be an effective, credible regulator, and that the agency achieves its mission through a regulatory philosophy that is both safety-focused and disciplined.”