Macfarlane promises to quell controversy at NRC

President Barack Obama's nominee to head the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Wednesday appeared headed toward confirmation by the Senate, after assuring senators that she would avoid the conflicts that marked the tenure of outgoing Chairman Gregory Jaczko.

"I will make a strong commitment to collegiality at all levels," said Allison Macfarlane at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. "An agency endowed with the public trust, such as the NRC, requires a respectful working environment to assure its integrity," she added.