Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Bush retaps Reid science aide for NRC

WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Tuesday renominated an aide to Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., to become a leader at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a step toward fulfilling a deal reached last fall.

Gregory B. Jaczko's name was submitted to the Senate to fill a vacancy on the five-member federal board that regulates the nuclear power industry and the handling of nuclear materials and waste.

Jaczko, 34, is Reid's science aide and his principal adviser on the Yucca Mountain Project, which the Nevada senator has tried to kill using his Senate influence.

A physicist, Jaczko was to join the NRC board last year, but his confirmation was blocked by Republicans following strong objections from the nuclear power industry.

Industry officials contend Jaczko will be biased against the proposed Nevada nuclear waste repository while he is at the agency. Reid said Jaczko is qualified and would be fair.

Responding to Republican opposition to Jaczko last year, Reid blocked dozens of Bush nominees for federal posts, an impasse that persisted until the final night of the session.

Then, the White House and Reid reached a deal where Bush would use his executive powers to appoint Jaczko to a two-year NRC term if Reid allowed the other nominees to pass the Senate.

A Senate lawyer who works for Reid said the renomination was part of a formal procedure that would allow Bush to place Jaczko at the NRC as a "recess appointment" when the Senate is out of session.

Also Tuesday, Albert Henry Konetzni of New York was nominated to fill a second vacancy at the NRC. The White House agreement with Reid was that Konetzni, a Republican, and Jaczko would be appointed simultaneously.