Kristine L. Svinicki (born September 6, 1966) is an American nuclear engineer and former chairwoman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Kristine L. Svinicki
Chairwoman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
In office
January 23, 2017 – January 20, 2021
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byStephen G. Burns
Succeeded byChristopher T. Hanson
Commissioner of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
In office
March 28, 2008 – January 20, 2021
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Barack Obama
Donald Trump
Preceded byJeffrey S. Merrifield
Succeeded byBradley Crowell
Personal details
Born (1966-09-06) September 6, 1966 (age 58)
Jackson, Michigan
Political partyRepublican[1]
Alma materUniversity of Michigan

Early life and education

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Svinicki, who is one of seven siblings, was born in Jackson, Michigan. Both of her parents died when she was a teenager. She earned a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan in 1988.[2]

Career

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Svinicki began her career as an energy engineer for the state of Wisconsin at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. She worked as a nuclear engineer in the U.S. Department of Energy's Washington, D.C. Offices of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, and of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, as well as its Idaho Operations Office. She served as a staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee for Sen. John Warner and Sen. John McCain.[2]

Svinicki has a history of making political donations to Republican candidates.[3]

She was sworn in as a commissioner of the NRC on March 28, 2008, and for a second term ending June 30, 2017. She was designated chairwoman by President Donald Trump on January 23, 2017. On June 26, 2017, she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to a five-year term as the NRC's chairperson.[4] She resigned as Commissioner and chairwoman on January 20, 2021.[5]

At the time of her departure from the NRC, she thanked President Trump: “I was humbled when President Trump designated me NRC Chairman on Inauguration Day four years ago. After nine years of service as a Commissioner, I hope I put my prior experience to good effect and that my work as Chairman has fulfilled, in some small measure, the confidence the President expressed in my capabilities in offering me this opportunity to lead.”[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Trump to nominate three to nuclear commission". 22 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b Newman, Katelyn (June 16, 2017). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Kristine Svinicki". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  3. ^ "OpenSecrets.org Donor Lookup - Kristine Svinicki". Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  4. ^ Siciliano, John (June 26, 2017). "Senate confirms Trump's pick to head nuclear energy watchdog". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Chairman Kristine Svinicki Announces Her Intent to Depart The NRC" (PDF).
  6. ^ ""Chairman Kristine Svinicki Announces Her Intent to Depart the NRC"" (PDF).
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