Contact:

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

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

Inhofe Response to White House Nomination of Allison Macfarlane to Replace Jaczko at NRC

Washington, D.C. - This afternoon, the White House announced that President Obama will nominate Allison Macfarlane to replace Gregory Jaczko as Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).  Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, welcomed the White House moving quickly on finding Jaczko's replacement and hopes this news bodes well for the speedy re-nomination process of Kristine Svinicki to continue to serve in her post as an NRC Commissioner.

"I am encouraged that President Obama has moved quickly to find a replacement to serve as Chairman of the NRC," Senator Inhofe said. "The White House is clearly anxious to relieve Jaczko of his duties, and I appreciate that they are taking his record of failed leadership seriously.  I look forward to working with Allison Macfarlane in the coming weeks and learning more about her management experience and her commitment to nuclear safety.

"I hope that the White House's speedy selection of the new Chairman bodes well for Kristine Svinicki's re-nomination process; the Senate needs to act soon to ensure that she can continue her important role as an NRC Commissioner.  Now that Svinicki's paperwork has arrived at the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Chairman Jaczko's replacement has been nominated by the White House, there is no reason to put off her re-nomination.  I look forward to working with Senator Boxer to move on this process quickly so that the Senate can vote on Svinicki's confirmation before her term expires at the end of June."

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