Wyoming Becomes 38th NRC Agreement State
The agreement signed Sept. 25 transfers regulatory authority over certain radioactive materials to the state. NRC transferred responsibility for licensing, rulemaking, inspection, and enforcement activities needed to regulate source material involved in uranium or thorium milling and the management and disposal of milling waste.
Wyoming has become the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's 38th agreement state, with Wyoming Gov. Matthew H. Mead and NRC Chairman Kristine L. Svinicki signing the agreement on Sept. 25 in Cheyenne, Wyo.
It transfers regulatory authority over certain radioactive materials to the state. NRC transferred responsibility for licensing, rulemaking, inspection, and enforcement activities needed to regulate source material involved in uranium or thorium milling and the management and disposal of milling waste. Fourteen uranium recovery licenses will be transferred to Wyoming's jurisdiction, according to the NRC news release.
NRC retains jurisdiction over any nuclear power plant, although currently there are none located in Wyoming, as well as federal agencies using certain radioactive materials in the state. Before entering into the agreement, NRC determined that Wyoming's radiation control program is adequate to protect public health and safety and also compatible with NRC regulations.