Jeff Baran has taken his place as the 34th Commissioner on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, after being sworn in yesterday. Baran was confirmed by the Senate last month to fill the position left by former-NRC Commissioner William Magwood, who left the Commission to serve as Director General of the Nuclear Energy Agency. Baran’s tenure would expire next year if he is not re-nominated by the president. Baran previously served as an aide to House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) while also serving as Democratic staff director for the Energy and Environment Subcommittee. “NRC’s nuclear safety mission has never been more important,” Baran said in a statement. “I look forward to working with my colleagues and the NRC staff to advance the agency’s vital mission.” The other NRC Senate confirmation from last month, Steve Burns, has not yet been sworn in.