Nuclear Industry Pins Hopes on Longtime Foe

[bananas]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703806304576234882625310042.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

* APRIL 1, 2011
Nuclear Industry Pins Hopes on Longtime Foe
By STEPHEN POWER

U.S. nuclear-power industry officials have long regarded Gregory Jaczko as an adversary, but following the earthquake and nuclear crisis in Japan they need him as an ally.

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Mr. Jaczko, who spent much of his professional career in Washington working for opponents of the industry, expresses confidence that U.S. nuclear plants operate safely. But he avoids taking sides in public debates about the future of U.S. nuclear power following the Japanese disaster.

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Mr. Jaczko holds a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and worked as an aide to Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Edward J. Markey, an outspoken critic of the nuclear industry, before signing on as appropriations director and science policy adviser for Mr. Reid.

President George W. Bush appointed Mr. Jaczko to a seat on the NRC in 2005 amid criticism from industry officials who questioned whether he could be impartial about nuclear issues, particularly Yucca Mountain. The Bush White House initially resisted appointing him but relented after Mr. Reid blocked Bush nominees for dozens of senior positions across the executive branch. President Barack Obama elevated Mr. Jaczko to the chairman's job shortly after taking office.

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[PoliticAverse]

1. Just like Japanese nuclear plants operated safely until three weeks ago, right ? n/t