Advertisement

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCES TO C&EN

Research Integrity

Politics At Play In Nuclear Waste Review

by Glenn Hess
June 20, 2011 | A version of this story appeared in Volume 89, Issue 25

The inspector general of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) told Congress last week that the agency’s chairman made unilateral decisions and repeatedly misled fellow commissioners about his plans to terminate the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump in Nevada. Inspector General Hubert T. Bell told the House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Committee that NRC Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko “strategically” withheld information from the four other commissioners about a key scientific review of the repository project. Jaczko’s actions allowed him to shut down the review last year without a vote by the full commission. Bell said Jaczko acted unprofessionally but not illegally. Several Republican lawmakers disagreed, saying Jaczko appears to have violated a federal law that requires the NRC chairman to keep fellow commissioners “fully and currently informed” about important matters before the commission. Rep. John M. Shimkus (R-Ill.) said Bell’s report “reveals a calculating and political NRC chairman who has abused his authority, who sought to suppress scientific reports and withhold information from fellow commissioners.” Jaczko worked for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) before joining NRC in 2005. Reid strongly opposes the Yucca Mountain project.

Article:

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

0 /1 FREE ARTICLES LEFT THIS MONTH Remaining
Chemistry matters. Join us to get the news you need.