Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering NRE/MP Seminar Nuclear & Radiological Engineering and Medical Physics Programs

Title: Key Challenges Currently Faced by the NRC and the Nuclear Industry Speaker: Chairman Gregory Jaczko Affiliation: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission When: Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 3:00:00 PM Where: Wardlaw Center Building, Room Gordy Room Host: Bojan Petrovic bojan.petrovic@nre.gatech.edu 404.894.8173 Abstract Chairman Jaczko will address his role as the new chairman of the NRC, the growth and development of the agency, and key challenges currently facing the NRC and the industry. He will also share some personal reminisces about his experiences and career path. At the conclusion of his remarks, he will answer questions from the audience. Biography Dr. Gregory B. Jaczko was designated Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) by President Barack Obama on May 13, 2009. He was first sworn in as a Commissioner on Jan. 21, 2005, and his term runs through June 2013. As Chairman, Dr. Jaczko is the principal executive officer of the NRC and its official spokesperson. He is responsible for conducting administrative, organizational, long-range planning, budgetary, and certain personnel functions of the agency. He has authority for all NRC functions pertaining to a potential emergency involving an NRC licensee. Throughout his tenure on the Commission, Dr. Jaczko has focused on the NRC being a decisive safety regulator with the confidence of the public, and has worked to have the agency clearly communicate with the public and its licensees. He is committed to the safety of existing nuclear reactors and radioactive materials, implementing a predictable safety review process for license applications, ensuring the agency conducts thorough environmental reviews, and promoting strong enforcement and accountability. Dr. Jaczko's professional career has been devoted to science, and its use and impact in the public policy arena. Prior to assuming the post of Commissioner, Dr. Jaczko served as appropriations director for U.S. Sen. Harry Reid and also as the Senator's science policy advisor. He began his Washington, D.C., career as a congressional science fellow in the office of U.S. Rep. Edward Markey. In addition, he has been an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, teaching science and policy. Dr. Jaczko holds a bachelor's degree in physics and philosophy from Cornell University, and a doctorate in physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Notes Refreshments will be served. Co-Sponsored by Georgia Local ANS Section