TheDefense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board is anindependent agency of the United States government based inWashington, D.C. Established in 1988, the DNFSB oversees thenuclear weapons complex administered by theU.S. Department of Energy.[1][2] The DNFSB is independent of the Department of Energy. The DNFSB's most important power is its ability to give recommendations to theSecretary of Energy.
The board consists of five members, who are appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The President appoints members of the Board from civilian life who are U.S. citizens and are respected experts in the field of nuclear safety with a demonstrated competence and knowledge relevant to the independent investigative and oversight functions of the board. TheNational Academy of Sciences maintains a list of individuals who meet these qualifications, which assists the President in selecting individuals to nominate. A maximum of three members may be members of the same political party. They each serve terms of five years, and, following changes made by theNDAA 2020 § 3203(b)(1)(A), may not be reappointed to a second term, unless they were originally appointed to fill an unexpired term of less than three remaining years. A member may not continue to serve after the end of their term unless that would constitute a loss of quorum for the board. Three members is necessary for the board to have a quorum. The President designates one of the members to serve as chairman and chief executive officer, and another to serve as vice chairman.[3]
The current board as of October 18, 2025[update]:[4]
| Position | Name | Party | Took office | Term expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | Patricia L. Lee | Democratic | September 4, 2024 | October 18, 2027 |
| Member | Vacant | October 18, 2026 | ||
| Member | Vacant | October 18, 2028 | ||
| Member | Vacant | October 18, 2029 | ||
| Member | Vacant | October 18, 2030 |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
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