Senate confirms Nuclear Regulatory nominees

The Senate confirmed two of President Obama’s nominees to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Tuesday.

Jeff Baran was confirmed by a 56-44 vote and Steve Burns by a 60-40 vote.

{mosads}”We are down on the membership of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said. “We need to fill these positions.”

Her committee cleared the two nominations last week. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) was the only Republican on the committee who voted to advance both nominees.

“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,” said ranking member David Vitter (R-La.). “While the nominees’ dedication to public service is clearly demonstrated, I question the potential of their contribution to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.”

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is comprised of five members confirmed for five-year terms. They advise the president on nuclear policy and regulate nuclear reactors and material within the United States.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has a vested interest in the composition of the NRC since he has fought the Yucca Mountain project that would dump nuclear waste in his home state. Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), who also opposes Yucca Mountain, voted for both of the nominees on Tuesday as well.