NRC's web site is http://www.nrc.gov

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July 1, 2006

NRC's newest member sworn in as Chairman

Dale Klein comes to NRC from DOD, where he was assistant to the Secretary of Defense for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs. Prior to that, while he was at University of Texas, he was appointed by then-Gov. Bush to serve on the Texas Radiation Advisory Board in 1997. Dr. Klein chaired the Board during 2000-2001. Industry newsletter Inside N.R.C. cited an NRC source as saying that former chairman Diaz's staff will remain in place for about 90 days while Klein assembles his own staff. He has brought in Paul Dickman to be his executive assistant. Mr. Dickman is on loan to NRC from DOE's National Nuclear Security Administration.

January 10, 2006

NRC is captive agency, according to California activists

Activists consider the commission a "captive agency" easily pushed around by those it regulates. "NRC wants to do whatever the industry wants," said one environmentalist... Environmentalists say they fear a potential effort by California lawmakers to order a study on the feasibility of re-licensing nuclear power plants may lead to attempts to build new nuclear energy facilities in the state...

[Source: EnergyWashington Week, "Activists Fear California Nuclear Plant Re-Licensing Study Proposal", January 11, 2006]

October 31, 2005

NRC/NRR reorganizes, in part to prepare for new-reactor licensing

NRC's Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) is being reorganized to support anticipated new-reactor licensing, risk-informed regulation, and generally improve the effectiveness and efficiency of NRR's programs and processes. The new organization became effective on October 31, 2005.

The former five large divisions in NRR have been expanded to nine smaller divisions. Each division is headed by a division director and one or two deputy directors. The former Division of Licensing Project Management is now designated as the Division of Operating Reactor Licensing (DORL) and will focus primarily on licensing activities. Generic and programmatic issues are now managed by the Division of Policy and Rulemaking. In the new DORL, the former first-line supervisors, Section Chiefs, are re-designated as Branch Chiefs.

[Source: David Terao (Branch Chief, NRC/NRR Division of Operating Reactor Licensing's Project Licensing Branch IV), letter to Randall K. Edington (Vice President-Nuclear and CNO, Nebraska Public Power District), November 10, 2005 - ACN ML053190096]

October 7, 2005

NRC - Commissioner McGaffigan confirmed by Senate thru 2010

Edward McGaffigan, Jr., of Virginia, was reappointed as a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30, 2010.

[Ref: Congressional Record, "CONFIRMATIONS", October 7, 2005, p. S11337]

February 14, 2005