(Image source: U.S. Congress)

BY JESSICA SIBERT

An internal war between members of the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission and their boss broke into the open Friday with the release of a letter meant for President Obama’s eyes only. WPBF has more.

“Four commissioners from the ‘Nuclear Regulatory Commission’ say their boss is putting your life in danger. In a letter to the White House, the commissioners accuse NRC chairman Gregory Jaczko of intimidating and bullying senior staff, withholding important information, and ignoring the will of the committee’s majority. The commissioners say that’s putting the safety of the country’s 104 nuclear reactors in jeopardy.”

The October letter all but asked President Obama to remove Jaczko from the chairmanship. But in his own letter, which his office provided to CNN, Jaczko says it’s all just one big misunderstanding.

“Unfortunately, all too often, when faced with tough policy calls, a majority of this current commission has taken an approach that is not as protective of public health and safety as I believe is necessary…a majority of the commission has dismissed my policy views.”

But Jaczko has his supporters. On the same day the commissioners’ letter was released, Representative Edward Markey used internal e-mails between the commissioners to create a 23-page report defending Jaczko, and instead accuses the commissioners of impeding the adoption of safety recommendations in the wake of Japan’s Fukushima disaster.

Also defending him is Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid—whom Jaczko once worked for. The Wall Street Journal quotes Reid.

“It is sad to see those who would place the interests of a single industry over the safety of the American people to wage a politically-motivated witch hunt against a man with a proven track record.”

But, this isn’t the first time the chairman has been criticized—on June 6th, the NRC’s Inspector General released a report highlighting Jaczko’s, quote, “dictatorship.” On Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee will hold a hearing in which all five NRC commissioners must testify about the complaints.

But a writer for Politico says even with the hearing, ousting Jaczko could be tricky. (Video source: New York Times)

“The NRC is considered an independent agency, and although its commissioners are nominated by the president, the chairman cannot be removed from office except for being derelict in his or her duties.”

The White House has yet to comment.