Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Risch applauded the President’s announcement of his intent to nominate Dr. Rita Baranwal to serve as Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy (DOE). Risch has worked with Dr. Baranwal in her current position at the Idaho National Lab (INL):

“The President made an excellent choice for Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at DOE. As the director of DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative at INL, the nation’s flagship nuclear energy facility, and previous service as Director of Technology Development and Application at Westinghouse, Dr. Rita Baranwal is uniquely qualified for this position and has a thorough understanding of DOE’s assets, specifically the national labs, and nuclear programs. The men and women who work at INL are exceptionally talented, and I know Dr. Baranwal will make Idaho proud.”