HOUSE COMMITTEE CONDEMNS NRC CHAIRMAN AS WHITE HOUSE VOWS SUPPORT

By ExchangeMonitor

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee condemned Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko in an extensive report on NRC leadership released yesterday in advance of today’s hearing on the agency. “The leadership of Chairman Gregory Jaczko has undermined Commissioners, staff, and the public confidence that the NRC can continue to remain focused on its vital mission,” the 61-page majority staff report states. It adds, “Documents and witness testimony revealed that as the Chairman’s interpretation of his authority evolved to closely resemble that of a single administrator—his management style and aggressive behavior simultaneously eroded the collegial structure and values inherent in the NRC.” The report comes after an October letter from the four other Commissioners expressing “grave concerns” about Jaczko’s management, which the Committee released Friday. The Committee’s report includes numerous complaints regarding Jaczko, detailing displays of anger, political pressure and manipulation in matters including the closure of the agency’s Yucca Mountain review and its response to Fukushima.

In the face of the strong accusations levied against Jaczko, the White House declared its continued support for the chairman Monday. White House Chief of Staff William Daley said in a Monday letter to the Committee that he has met with all the Commissioners, each of which have agreed that the tensions and disagreements “have not impaired the Commission’s ability to fulfill its mission.” It adds, “Many of the present tensions appear to be rooted in the very structure of the NRC and in disagreements over policy matters.” In a letter to the commissioners, Daley said that Jaczko has pledged to keep the Commission better informed and bring in a “trusted third party to promote a better dialog.” All five members of the Commission are scheduled to testify at the Oversight Committee’s hearing today, but the White House declined to send a witness. The report is available here.

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