ML26056A218
| ML26056A218 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/08/2026 |
| From: | Office of Public Affairs |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| News Release-26-005 | List: |
| References | |
| News Release-26-005 | |
| Download: ML26056A218 (0) | |
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No: 26-005 January 8, 2026 CONTACT: Office of Public Affairs, 301-415-8200 Ho Nieh Named 20th NRC Chairman Ho K. Nieh has been designated by U.S. President Donald J.
Trump as the 20th Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, effective immediately. Nieh replaces David A. Wright, who the President named Chairman on Jan. 21, 2025, and who will continue to serve as a Commissioner.
It is an honor to have been designated as the Chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Nieh said. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve again at this agency that shaped my career and commitment to nuclear safety. I also appreciate the leadership of previous Chairman David Wright in guiding the NRC through a crucial period of transition as the agency embarks on this pivotal period of change.
I look forward to continuing to work with the dedicated NRC staff and my fellow Commissioners, and I am energized by what we will accomplish together to enable the safe and secure use of nuclear technologies. With the support of Executive Order 14300 and the ADVANCE Act, the NRC is designing the future of nuclear safety regulation.
The NRC is comprised of five Commissioners, one of whom is designated by the President as Chairman. The Commission was established to be a collegial body that formulates policies, develops regulations, issues orders to licensees, and adjudicates legal matters. The Commissioners serve five-year terms, with one term expiring every year on June 30. No more than three Commissioners may be of the same political party.
Nieh was sworn in as an NRC Commissioner on Dec. 4, 2025, for a term ending June 30, 2029. Prior to becoming a Commissioner, Nieh served as an officer of Southern Nuclear on loan to the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations. He joined Southern Nuclear in March 2021 to assume the role of Vice President of Regulatory Affairs after more than 20 years as an NRC staff member.
While at the NRC, Nieh served as Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, where he was responsible for reactor safety licensing and oversight programs for operating and new reactors. His other roles at the NRC included: Senior Resident Inspector; Director of the Division Reactor Projects in Region I, in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; Director of Division Inspection and Regional Support at NRC headquarters; and Chief of Staff for Commissioner William Ostendorff.
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The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission was created as an expert, technical agency to protect public health, safety, and security, and regulate the civilian use of nuclear materials, including enabling the deployment of nuclear power for the benefit of society. Among other responsibilities, the agency issues licenses, conducts inspections, initiates and enforces regulations, and plans for incident response. The global gold standard for nuclear regulation, the NRC is collaborating with interagency partners to implement reforms outlined in new Executive Orders and the ADVANCE Act to streamline agency activities and enhance efficiency.
Page l 2 In addition, Nieh previously worked at the Nuclear Energy Agency as Director of the Division of Nuclear Safety Technology and Regulation. He also served as Communications Advisor to the International Atomic Energy Agency and worked at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory as a civilian instructor for the Navys Nuclear Power Program.
Nieh earned his Bachelor of Engineering in marine engineering from New York Maritime College and is a graduate of the United States Naval Nuclear Power School. He attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for graduate studies in nuclear engineering and earned a Master of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University. Nieh also completed the Executive Education in Strategic Management program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.