The U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission has selected Robert Murray as the new Resident Inspector at the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in Palo, Iowa, roughly eight miles northwest of Cedar Rapids.

Murray joined the NRC in Region III as a reactor engineer in 2008. Prior to joining the agency, he served more than six years as an officer on the USS Helena, a fast attack submarine. During his naval service, Murray was also a senior instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command. He graduated from Loras College with a bachelor's of science degree in electromechanical engineering and has a master's of business administration degree from Webster University.

"Robert Murray is an excellent inspector with a firm commitment to safety. He will help the NRC fulfill its mission of protecting people and the environment by helping ensure the Duane Arnold plant operates at the high standards set by the NRC," Region III Administrator Mark Satorius said.

The NRC's mission is a matter of personal commitment Murray said, "As a resident inspector, I work at the plant every day and live in the community. I am the agency's eyes and ears- it's my job to make sure the plant operates safely and I take that responsibility very seriously."

Each U.S. commercial nuclear plant site has at least two NRC resident inspectors. They serve as the agency's eyes and ears at the facility, conducting inspections, monitoring major work projects and interacting with plant workers and the public. Murray joins Senior Resident Inspector Robert Orlikowski at the plant. Both can be reached at (319) 851-5111.