Society News Archive

Stephen G. Burns, a 33-year veteran of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and a commissioner since November, has been designated as NRC chairman by President Barack Obama, effective 1 January 2015. Burns replaces outgoing Chairman Allison Macfarlane, who is stepping down to take a position at George Washington University.

"I am pleased to have been selected to serve as the NRC's next chairman. It is a great honor to lead the agency to which I dedicated most of my professional career," Burns said. "I extend my thanks to Dr. Macfarlane for her service and wish her success in her new position. I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners, the NRC staff, and our stakeholders in carrying out the NRC's important mission."

The NRC is headed by five commissioners and is a collegial body that formulates policies, develops regulations, issues orders, and adjudicates legal matters. The NRC commissioners serve five-year terms, with one term expiring every year on 30 June.  Burns' term expires in 2019.

Read more on the NRC press release.