The Nuclear Regulatory Commission chairman denied accusations today that he has bullied female staffers, only a day after the White House attempted to quell the most recent controversy that erupted at the agency.

Chairman Gregory Jaczko told a hastily arranged National Press Club news conference that he wanted to clearly state that allegations that he "targets women" are untrue.

"There's been a little bit of talk recently about my treatment of women, and I want to begin by saying that any of these accusations that I specifically target women are categorically untrue," Jaczko said. "Beyond that, I really don't have anything else to say about that issue."

NRC, which oversees the country's 104 nuclear power plants, was thrust into the political spotlight last year by a very public dispute between Jaczko and his four colleagues. Four commissioners -- two Democrats and two Republicans -- told the White House in a letter last year that Jaczko, a Democrat, was bullying female staffers and withholding information.

The commissioners' spat took center stage again in recent days as Senate Republicans pressed President Obama to renominate Republican Commissioner Kristine Svinicki, whose term ends in June. Svinicki's renomination is opposed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Jaczko's political patron.

The White House said yesterday it would nominate Svinicki, cooling GOP charges that the administration was targeting Svinicki for complaining about Jaczko.

Reid spokesman Adam Jentleson said the Nevada Democrat opposed Svinicki because she lied to Congress about her handling of the abandoned Yucca Mountain nuclear dump in Nevada (E&E Daily, April 20).

Jaczko declined to comment on whether he would support Svinicki's renomination, saying he would not discuss details about individual commissioners. He also gave little explanation for why he held the press conference today.

"I didn't have a lot on my schedule this afternoon and I don't play golf," he said.

Asked whether the agency inspector general is preparing a report that could touch on the chairman's management style, Jaczko declined to comment. The report, he said, is "in the hands of the IG."

The chairman also emphasized that the agency is continuing to function despite differences among the commissioners. He would not say whether a mediator had yet begun to mend fences on the commission.

"I want to assure you all that none of these issues are a distraction from the agency," Jaczko said. "We continue to be focused on our mission and on our responsibility to public health and safety."

NRC remains firmly focused on ensuring U.S. reactors operate safely following the Japan nuclear disaster last year, he said. A magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami struck the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex on Japan's northeastern coast, triggering hydrogen explosions, radioactive leaks and multiple evacuations.

He also pointed out the commission this year approved the construction of the first new U.S. nuclear power plant in more than three decades. Jaczko said he plans in the coming weeks to visit power plants that are "experiencing performance deficiencies," including Entergy Corp.'s Palisades nuclear plant on Lake Michigan that recently shut down because of electrical malfunctions (E&ENews PM, Sept. 29, 2011).

"Any other issues that may be distracting us aren't going to have an effect on our work," he said.