Contact:

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

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

Inhofe Welcomes Senate Approval of NRC Nominees

Washington, D.C. - Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, welcomed approval in the United States Senate today of the nomination of Kristine Svinicki to serve another term as a Commissioner at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and Allison Macfarlane, who will fill the vacancy left by the departing NRC Chairman Greg Jaczko.

"I am especially pleased that the United States Senate approved Kristine Svinicki to serve another term as a Commissioner," Senator Inhofe said. "As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, maintaining Ms. Svinicki as an NRC Commissioner has been a priority, because her expertise is crucial to its mission of nuclear safety - I'm happy that our efforts were successful.

"It is also good news that today former NRC Chairman Greg Jaczko was replaced. While I still have some reservations about Allison Macfarlane's experience in nuclear safety and her potential pre-conceived notions regarding spent fuel disposal, she assured me in her testimony before the EPW committee that she is committed to being a collegial leader and will take her fellow Commissioners seriously. I expect that she will follow through.

"A new chapter for the NRC began today, and I look forward to working with Commissioners Svinicki and Macfarlane."

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