The House Energy Subcommittees on Environment and the Economy and Energy and Power met for a policy and governance oversight hearing on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
Members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission praised the performance of their new Chairman Allison Macfarlane. Confirmed a couple of weeks ago by the Senate, the former George Mason University Professor replaced Greg Jaczko, who announced his resignation several months after damaging allegations surfaced about his management style.
Testifying before two House Energy Subcommittees, Chairman Macfarlane talked about efforts to move ahead with new safety recommendations after the 2011 Japanese earthquake and said she has not made a decision on the idea of storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain in Nevada.
Chairman Macfarlane was joined by Commissioners Kristine Svinicki, William Magwood, and William Ostendorff. This was the first congressional hearing with new NRC Chairman.