Klein seeks early exit from NRC

Dale Klein, a commissioner with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), has written to President Barak Obama requesting that a successor to his position is found so that he can return "to private life after ... many years of service as a presidential appointee." Whilst welcoming Obama’s recent announcement of candidates to fill two existing vacancies on the commission, he said, "I respectfully request that you consider making an additional nomination to fill the balance of my term on the commission." Klein added, "I offer my resignation effective upon my nominated successor taking office as a member of the commission." However, he added, "I will continue to serve gladly in the absence of a successor to complete my term." In May, Obama announced that Gregory Jaczko had been designated as chairman of the NRC, replacing Klein who held that position at the time. Klein was to remain as a commissioner until the end of his term in June 2011. The NRC is headed by five commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for five-year terms.