House Energy and Commerce Committee representatives urge Trump to Fill Nuclear Regulatory Commission Vacancies

Three U.S. representatives on the House Energy and Commerce Committee recently sent a letter to President Donald Trump, requesting that he fill current and future vacancies on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in order to maintain a quorum.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), Subcommittee on Energy Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), and Subcommittee on Environment Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL) jointly sent the request.

“We urge you to nominate commissioners to the NRC so the confirmation process may be completed as
soon as possible and provide the NRC a full contingent of commissioners to fulfill its critical mission in overseeing and regulating the civilian use of radioactive material,” the representatives said.

If no new commissioners are nominated and confirmed before July 1 when Chairman Kristine Svinicki’s current term expires, the NRC will lack a quorum, which is necessary to conduct necessary legislative action. The commission requires at least three of the five seats to be filled with no more than three members from the same political party in order to maintain a quorum. There are currently two vacant seats on the commission.

“Absent a nomination and confirmation of additional commissioners, the Commission will lack a quorum on July 1 when Chairman Svinicki’s current term expires,” the representatives said. “This situation could severely inhibit the NRC’s ability to execute its vital responsibility and hamper the nuclear industry.”