On June 29, the U.S. Senate selected environmental science and geology professor Allison Macfarlane to lead the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Former chairman Gregory Jaczko resigned in May after harassment allegations were made against him by employees, and other critics said he had a political agenda.
Macfarlane is an environmental science and geology professor. While it was clear that she would be President Obama’s nomination, Republicans favored NCR commissioner Kristine Svinicki for the position. Svinicki’s support for Yucca Mountain earned her support from Republican senators, and the Senate confirmed her for another term as commissioner.