WASHINGTON– Sidestepping a new debate over the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, the Senate confirmed two of President Obama’s nominees to the beleaguered Nuclear Regulatory Commission – including a critic of the proposed waste dump in Nevada who will become the panel’s new chair.
The Senate on Friday confirmed Allison Macfarlane, a geologist who has raised questions about the viability of the site 90 miles north of Las Vegas, despite earlier opposition to her nomination from some Republicans. And in a deal to clear the backlog of Obama nominees, the Senate also confirmed Kristine L. Svinicki, a GOP-supported member of the NRC, to another five-year term. Both were confirmed without dissent.
Continue reading at Yucca Mountain critic among nominees confirmed to nuclear panel
