The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has selected Nick Smalley as
the agency's new senior resident inspector at the Oconee Nuclear Station
located in Seneca, South Carolina. He joins Resident Inspector Evan
Robinson at the Oconee plant, operated by Duke Energy.
Smalley joined the NRC in 2020 as a project engineer in the Resident
Inspector Development Program in the Region II office. He was selected to
be a resident inspector at Oconee in 2021. Before joining the NRC, Smalley
earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Loyola University Chicago and
served as a nuclear surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy for more than a
decade.
“Nick's extensive background as a nuclear-trained officer in the U.S. Navy, has given him a
unique perspective that he brings to this important position,” said NRC Region II Administrator
Laura Dudes. “As he steps into his new role as senior resident inspector, I am confident that his
leadership will guide our team of inspectors in upholding the NRC's stringent safety standards and
mission.”
Each U.S. commercial nuclear power plant has at least two NRC resident inspectors who
monitor day-to-day operations at the plant. They serve as the agency's eyes and ears at the facility,
conducting inspections, monitoring significant projects, and interacting with plant workers and the
public.