NRC Chairman announces resignation - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

NRC Chairman announces resignation

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (WWBT) -

The head of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is resigning.

Chairman Gregory Jaczko said in a statement he will step aside once a successor is confirmed. His 3-year tenure as chairman has been marked by bitter battles with colleagues and with congress.l

His resignation comes after fellow NRC Commissioners publicly described Jaczko as acting a bully. Jaczko denied any wrong doing but suggested that the commissioners talk to a third party to improve communications.

Jaczko was the NRC's chief spokesperson while the agency responded last year to the nuclear meltdown in japan. Jaczko made the controversial recommendation to evacuate Americans within 50 miles of Japan's crippled reactor.

He also called for a review of safety recommendations at U.S. nuclear plants. NBC12 investigated evacuation zones near the Lake Anna nuclear facility earlier this year. For our investigation, click here.

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