WASHINGTON, DC – I appreciate the Senate's confirmation of Ward Sproat to be the Director of the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Ward is highly regarded in the nuclear energy community and his confirmation will allow us to continue on our path forward to opening Yucca Mountain as our nation's repository for spent nuclear fuel.  In dealing with the nation's spent nuclear fuel, we can see a nuclear renaissance in this nation that will allow us to strengthen our nation's energy mix in an environmentally safe manner. I congratulate Ward on today's confirmation and look forward to him joining the department soon.

I would also like to thank Paul Golan, a valuable member of my senior leadership team, who stepped in and served so ably as the acting director of the office for the past year.  His diligence, passion, and perseverance have brought the program through a difficult transition period and has put us squarely on a path toward success.

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