President Obama’s nominee to head the Nuclear Regulatory Commission promised to create positive working relationships with her fellow Commissioners, a reference to concerns about her predecessor Gregory Jaczko. The Chairman has been the subject of public complaints by other Commissioners regarding his management style.
If confirmed, Professor Allison Macfarlane would be the first geologist to head the Commission. She appeared before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee alongside current Commissioner Kristine Svinicki. At the hearing, Chairman Barbara Boxer of California vowed to oppose Sviniki’s reappointment, citing her positions on storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain and safety issues at a California nuclear plant.