Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials in King of Prussia, Pa., have selected Blake Welling as the new Senior Resident Inspector at the Hope Creek nuclear power plant in Hancock's Bridge, N.J.

Welling joined the NRC as a reactor engineer in the Region I Office in June 1995. Most recently, he was a senior project engineer in the Regional Division of Reactor Projects. He also has worked as a resident inspector at Limerick Generating Station in Limerick, Pa., and the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station in Delta, Pa., and as a reactor inspector in the Division of Reactor Safety.

Prior to joining the agency, Welling worked as a nuclear safety assessor for the United States Department of Energy. He also served as a submarine officer in the nuclear power program of the U. S. Navy. He received a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the U. S. Naval Academy.

Blake has the experience and commitment to safety that will help the NRC carry out its mission of protecting people and the environment and ensuring the safe operation of nuclear power plants. He's an excellent addition to our inspection team at Hope Creek," said NRC Region I Administrator Samuel J. Collins.

Each U.S. commercial nuclear plant 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.

The Hope Creek resident inspectors can be reached at 856-935-5373.