Boxer slams nuke regulator's 'intimidation' [View all]

[bananas]

Source: The Hill

The chairman of a key Senate panel on Thursday lambasted members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, arguing that the agency’s new information-sharing policy exceeds the scope of its power and is impeding congressional investigations.

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Sen. Barbara Boxer, chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, raised the issue during a hearing intended to gauge progress toward implementation of a host of safety regulations being crafted in response to the 2011 meltdown at Japan’s Fukushima power plant.

“With out notifying our committee and, I believe, acting outside the NRC’s authority, the commission issued a new policy with substantial hurdles and delays that could even be used to withhold information entirely from the chairs and the ranking members of oversight committees,” Boxer said.

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Boxer said the policy was evidenced earlier this week when NRC personnel sought to restrict her staff’s review of records related to an ongoing probe of safety issues at the San Onofre plant in Southern California.

Boxer’s staffers were told that they could be physically searched for stolen documents after they had finished reviewing them, she said.

“Let me be clear — no form of agency intimidation or obstruction will be tolerated in this committee’s investigation or its Constitutional oversight responsibilities.,” Boxer said. “Action will be taken if you do not reverse your policy.”

All five NRC commissioners appeared as witnesses at the hearing. But none uttered a word, as Boxer abruptly adjourned the hearing after less than 30 minute so that the panel’s members could rush to the Capitol Building for a major debate over the Senate’s voting rules.

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Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energyenvironment/191059-boxer-slams-nuke-regulators-on-intimidation-obstruction

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Where there's smoke, there's fire.

The NRC wouldn't try these intimidation tactics if it wasn't hiding something.

Expect the corrupt nuclear industry to respond the way they always do - by attacking the messenger.