The departure of a Nuclear Regulatory Commission member is leading to concern among a range of lawmakers and nuclear advocates, though for various reasons.
Annie Caputo, a Republican commissioner appointed in the first Trump administration, informed staff Tuesday that she will leave the agency to “fully focus” on her family one David Wright returns to the commission. The Senate confirmed Wright’s renomination on Monday.
The announcement marks the second departure of an agency commissioner this summer after President Donald Trump fired former Democratic Chair Christopher Hanson. It leaves Democrats with a 2-1 majority on the commission, with two vacancies.
Senate Environment and Public Works Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W Va.) said she believes Capuito’s announcement puts the NRC in a very tough position to advance the president’s goal of approving more nuclear reactors in the coming years.
