NRC sets deadline for Yucca Mountain decision

By Steve Tetreault, Las Vegas Review-Journal /McClatchy-Tribune Regional News/ 273 words/ 23 April 2010/ Las Vegas Review-Journal (MCT)/ KRTLVEnglish/ Distributed by McClatchy - Tribune Information Services

Apr. 23--WASHINGTON -- The leaders of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Friday set a June 1 deadline for decisions whether to allow for the termination of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste site, a move that could speed the shutdown of the controversial project.
A panel of administrative judges within the NRC had wanted to delay ruling on whether the Department of Energy could withdraw the controversial Nevada project until a federal court could weigh legal challenges against DOE's efforts to shut it down.But in a 4-0 vote, the commissioners who head the nuclear safety agency ordered the judges to get back to work and issue a decision by June 1.The commissioners said the NRC shouldn't be sitting on the sidelines while courts take up an issue that is clearly within the agency's purview, and that federal judges might benefit from whatever decision the NRC reaches."We think a prudent course of action is to resolve the matters pending before our agency as expeditiously and responsibly as possible," the commissioners said in a five-page order.
NRC officials said the board's order could put the agency on an assured course to decide the fate of the nuclear waste project the Obama administration wants to bring to an end.

IN THE SENATENUCLEAR POWER; Panel to vet last 3 picks for regulatory commission

Katherine Ling, E&E reporter 713 words8 February 2010Environment & Energy Daily
© 2010 E&E Publishing, LLC. All Rights Reserved

The Environment and Public Works Committee tomorrow will examine President Obama's nominees to fill three spots on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Obama nominated George Apostolakis, former chairman of the NRC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, and William Magwood IV, former director of the Department of Energy civilian nuclear technology program, last October to fill two open Democratic spots on the committee.

NRC ANNOUNCES SENIOR LEADERSHIP CHANGES

No. 09-181 / November 4, 2009

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced several senior leadership changes that include new heads of the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR), Office of Enforcement and Office of Investigations.

James T. Wiggins, previously Deputy Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR), is the new head of NSIR. Wiggins is a long-time NRC employee who previously served as the Deputy Regional Administrator for Region I, in Pennsylvania, and as Deputy Director of the Office of Research. He received a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Villanova University.

Roy P. Zimmerman, who previously headed NSIR, is the new head of Enforcement. Zimmerman is also a long-time NRC employee who has held a variety of positions in headquarters, including senior positions in NRR and the Office of Research and positions in two NRC regional offices. Zimmerman received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine (Mechanical) Engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Cheryl L. McCrary, currently the Deputy Director of the Office of Investigations, has been promoted to head that office. McCrary’s more than 25-year federal law enforcement career includes positions with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the U.S. Secret Service, and the NRC’s Office of the Inspector General. She also headed the NRC’s Region II Investigations Field Office in Atlanta. McCrary received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from California State University at Northridge and is a graduate of the 2008 SES Candidate Development Program.