WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) thanked Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Kristine Svinicki for her service following her announcement that she will leave the Commission on Jan. 20, 2021.

“Kristine Svinicki has served as an outstanding chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” said Barrasso. “The Commission is essential to ensure American-made nuclear energy is safe and efficient. I want to thank Chairman Svinicki for her service to the country and for her partnership with our committee. Her leadership helped transform the agency so groundbreaking American-made nuclear technology can be deployed. Nuclear power is clean, constant, and critical to America’s success. ” 

“I’ve had the chance to work with Chairman Svinicki on a number of nuclear issues through the EPW Committee—particularly in my former role as chairman of the Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee. Whether it’s efforts like Project Aim 2020 to right-size and improve the efficiency of the NRC while maintaining its rigorous safety standards or spurring the NRC to approve advanced and modular reactor designs, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to work together to address a variety of issues. I thank Chairman Svinicki for her many years of service to this nation and wish her all the best in the future,” said Capito

Background Information: 

On June 26, 2017, the Senate voted 88 to 9 to confirm Svinicki for a third term as a commissioner of the NRC. 

On Jan. 23, 2017, President Trump designated Svinicki as chairman of the NRC.

Svinicki was initially nominated by President George W. Bush and was sworn in as a Commissioner on March 28, 2008. She was reconfirmed by the Senate in 2012. 

On January 14, 2019, President Trump signed Barrasso’s legislation, the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA), into law. Beyond requiring the NRC to develop a rule to license advanced reactors, NEIMA provides the public greater clarity into the process by which the NRC develops its budget and recovers its costs through fees. The law requires the NRC to establish performance metrics and milestones for licensing and other regulatory actions.

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