Nuclear Regulatory chairman says IG report 'raises nothing new of substance'

An unreleased inspector general’s report faults departing Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko for making inconsistent statements to Congress and failing to support an “open and collaborative work environment,” according to description published Wednesday by The Wall Street Journal . Jaczko released a statement saying the report “raises nothing new of substance.”

A staff member with the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee confirmed to Government Executive the existence of the report prepared at the request of ranking member James Inhofe, R-Okla. The investigation reportedly cleared Jaczko of some of the accusations against him, but said his December 2011 testimony to the House and Senate was inconsistent in five areas, based on information provided by other NRC officials.

Jaczko announced his pending retirement this spring after a string of disputatious congressional hearings about his management style and his temper, as well as complaints from fellow commissioners about communications problems. The commission has divided over Jaczko’s campaign against the politically sensitive plan to store unclear waste in Nevada’s Yucca Mountain.

In his June 26 statement, Jaczko said he was proud of NRC’s accomplishments in nuclear safety and its high ranking as a good place to work in government. “I have felt confident all along that my actions have been consistent with my responsibilities and authorities as chairman, and certainly that there was no wrongdoing,” he said. “This report underscores my belief. I appreciate the inspector general’s independent investigation and am glad to put this behind us.”