Bill Magwood brings extensive experience in both the regulatory and developmental aspects of nuclear energy, including at the international level. Magwood took up his duties as director-general of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) in September, 2014.
From 2010 to 2014, he served as one of the five commissioners appointed by the U.S. President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). While a commissioner, he advocated the importance of nuclear regulatory independence and the necessity of maintaining strong, credible and technically sound nuclear regulation in the United States and all countries that use nuclear power.
Prior to his appointment at the NRC, from 2005 to 2010, he provided independent strategic and policy advice to U.S. and international clients on energy, environment, education, and technology policy issues. From 1998 to 2005, Magwood was director of the Office of Nuclear Energy at DOE. During his tenure, he established the Idaho National Laboratory, created activities that reversed the decline of U.S. nuclear technology education, and launched important initiatives such as the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) and the U.S. “Nuclear Power 2010,” which helped restart nuclear plant construction in the United States. He was also actively involved in the work of the NEA, serving as a Steering Committee Bureau member from 1999 to 2005, including a term as chair of the Steering Committee from 2004 to 2005.
Prior to his experience at the DOE, Magwood managed electric utility research and nuclear policy programs at the Edison Electric Institute in Washington, DC, and was a scientist at Westinghouse Electric Corp. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Magwood holds bachelor degrees in physics and English from Carnegie Mellon University and a master of fine arts from the University of Pittsburgh.