David Blee, president and CEO of the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council business consortium, died Sunday apparently while visiting family in Kentucky.
His death was confirmed Monday by USNIC Director Caleb Ward.
“From what I understand, David had a negative reaction with the medication he was taking to get over his cold,” Ward said in a statement. The 66-year-old Blee died after being taken to a hospital and given a blood transfusion.
“We are all very saddened by this news and ask that you keep his family in your prayers,” Ward said. A funeral is planned Friday in Kentucky and a memorial service will be held later in Washington, D.C.
Blee was a familiar face around the U.S. Energy Department’s weapons complex and in hearings and meetings on nuclear energy issues more generally, News of his death circulated Sunday on Twitter by Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols and others. “He was an advisor to me for all things nuclear & a great friend,” Echols said.
“We have lost a true champion of nuclear energy in the passing of David Blee,” Rita Baranwal, assistant energy secretary for nuclear energy, tweeted Monday morning.
Blee headed the Nuclear Industry Council since its inception in 2004 as the U.S. Transport Council. It has more than 80 members, including nuclear utilities, engineering and construction companies, suppliers, and technology firms.
As head of the USNIC, also previously known as the U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council, Blee was active in pushing for development of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository in Nevada. In early 2018, he wrote that the Donald Trump administration was not following through on its plans to resurrect the licensing process for Yucca Mountain.
Earlier this year, Blee was appointed to a fourth term on the Commerce Department’s Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee (CINTAC).
