President Trump first nominated Caputo to the NRC in 2017. President Biden later renominated her in 2022. Her term was set to end on June 30, 2026.
Prior to her term on the commission, Annie Caputo was a staff member for the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce. She was also a senior policy advisor to Sen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.) when he chaired the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Shrinking Commission: Caputo’s resignation follows Chistopher Hanson’s dismissal from the NRC on June 13. On July 1, the NRC released a joint statement stating that it “finds itself in an unprecedented position.” Commissioners promised “[they] are aligned and working together collegially to meet these shared objectives for change, continue our critical daily operations, and lead our agency in this new era.”
The Trump administration has issued directives for sweeping changes at the NRC, including reductions in staff, reduced licensing timelines, and a wholesale revision of its regulations with the assistance of the Department of Government Efficiency. The Hill and E&E News have both reported that the NRC has faced growing pressure to approve reactor projects that have obtained approval from the Department of Energy or the Department of Defense.
As of now, the NRC has three commissioners: Bradley Crowell, who began in August 2022 and is serving the remainder of a term that expires in June 2027; Matthew Marzano, who in January 2025 began a term that ends in June 2028; and David Wright, who was just confirmed for a second term ending in June 2030.
