2016-05260: Physical Protection of Category 1 and Category 2 Quantities of Radioactive Material

Summary

On March 19, 2013, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published a final rule that amended its regulations to establish security requirements for the use and transport of category 1 and category 2 quantities of radioactive material. Specifically, the final rule provided reasonable assurance of preventing the theft or diversion of category 1 and category 2 quantities of radioactive material, and included security requirements for the transportation of irradiated reactor fuel that weighs 100 grams or less in net weight of irradiated fuel. In December 2014, the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate directed the NRC to evaluate the effectiveness of the new regulations and determine whether the requirements are adequate to protect "high-risk radiological material." In response to this mandate, the NRC is implementing a retrospective program review to provide an objective assessment of the new requirements and associated implementation guidance. This action seeks information that will be used in developing a report to Congress. The NRC plans to hold a series of public meetings to facilitate public participation. These meetings will consist of a public meeting and a series of webinar teleconferences, and the staff will publicly notice the date and times of these meetings. The staff is planning to conduct these meetings in March 2016.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 1 part of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 10 CFR 37 Physical Protection of Category 1 and Category 2 Quantities of Radioactive Material