Obama nominates nuclear regulator for longer term

President Obama has renominated one of the newest members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a term that stretches to 2018.

Jeffery Baran, a former aide to outgoing Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) when he was chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has only been on the NRC since September.

{mosads}NRC Chairwoman Allison Macfarlane said last month she would leave in January for a position at George Washington University.

Baran’s term would end in June, so Obama named him Thursday to Macfarlane’s seat, which has four years left. Baran would not be chairman of the commission.

When Obama first nominated Baran earlier this year, he faced criticism from Republicans that Baran lacked experience in the specific issues surrounding nuclear power regulation.

That same criticism resurfaced Friday.

“The president’s nominee to ensure the safety and success of our nuclear future visited a nuclear facility for the first time in his life this summer,” Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said in a statement.

“It is vital to the security and reliability of our nation’s energy needs for the members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to be independent, thoughtful and highly qualified,” he said.

Vitter said Baran does not fit the bill and called for the environment panel to hold a full hearing for the nomination before voting on it.