Nuclear Energy Industry Transitions

American Electric Power has named a new senior vice president for environment and safety. Dennis Welch will assume this position on Aug. 1. Welch comes to AEP from Yankee Energy System, an operating subsidiary of Northeast Utilities, where he has been president and chief executive officer since 2001.

Michael Gaffney has been named site vice president at Kewaunee Power Station, which Dominion Generation purchased from Wisconsin Public Service Corp. on July 5. Gaffney has spent 32 years working in nuclear operations, most recently as director of nuclear safety and licensing at Dominion's Surry Power Station.

Derek Bonham will retire from the TXU Corp. board of directors for health reasons. Bonham, who has served on the board since 1998, will remain until a replacement is found.