Contacts:

Matt Dempsey Matt_Dempsey@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-9797

Katie Brown Katie_Brown@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-2160                        

Inhofe Welcomes Growing Agreement Among NRC Commissioners

Calls on Chairman Jaczko to vote on report so NRC can focus on Commissioners' plan

Washington, D.C.-Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, welcomed a growing agreement expressed at today's EPW hearing among members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regarding the recommendations of the near-term task force.

"I commend the growing support among NRC Commissioners for implementing the task-force's recommendations in a way that realizes the need to move quickly while also taking the time to ensure that we get this right," Senator Inhofe said.  "As today's hearing clearly showed, there is a strong agreement that we need to learn the right lessons from the Fukushima accident so that regulatory changes achieve the maximum safety benefits.  The Commissioners' votes strike the right balance.

"In order to move forward as quickly as possible, I call on Chairman Jaczko to vote on the report immediately so that the NRC can turns its attention to a more reasonable and effective approach."