On May 8, 2012, President Obama nominated Kristine Svinicki (R) to a second five-year term on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”). Svinicki’s current term is set to expire on June 30, and several Republican Members of Congress are asking for a speedy confirmation. However, this nomination may be opposed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). Svinicki has reportedly been involved in an ongoing dispute with NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko, a former Reid aide. Svinicki and other Commissioners have complained to the White House about Jackzo and his management of NRC. Senator Reid has also questioned Svinicki’s integrity in the past, contending Svinicki was not forthright about her past involvement with the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste disposal project.
Svinicki is nuclear engineer and a former Senate staffer. Svinicki has also worked at the Department of Energy (“DOE”) in the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, and of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Prior to working at DOE, Svinicki worked at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission as an energy engineer.