Dive Brief:
- President Obama has tapped Jessie Hill Roberson to serve as a commissioner at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, potentially filling the final spot on the five-member team of regulators.
- Roberson is currently vice chairman of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) and acting chairman; she was also appointed to that position by President Obama.
- Her nomination drew praise from the Nuclear Energy Institute, which said her background aligns well with the NRC's safety mandate.
Dive Insight:
Roberson is an ex-Bush official at the Department of Energy, but she currently serves as vice chairman of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board – a position Obama appointed her to a year ago, following years of service after being initially nominated by President Bill Clinton.
More significant than her nominatio itself may be that the NRC will finally have its full slate of five regulators, following significant turnover at in recent years.
According to the DNFSB, Roberson has more than three decades of experience in the industry, “with profound experience in low level waste management, environmental restoration, reactor operations and project management.” Prior to working at the Department of Energy, Roberson worked at Georgia Power as a system engineering specialist in the late 80s.
Her nomination has the backing of the Nuclear Energy Institute, which lauded her background in the field.
“Her relevant experience with nuclear energy technology aligns well with the NRC’s mandate to ensure the safe operation of the nation’s nuclear energy facilities,” NEI said in a statement.
“The nuclear energy industry believes the nation is best served by a fully functioning, five-member commission to carry out the NRC’s safety mission, and looks forward to learning more about Ms. Roberson’s views during the confirmation process,” NEI continued.
The U.S. Senate must confirm Roberson's nomination.
