NRC Setting New Security Requirements for Transporting Radioactive Materials
Its final rule lists quantities of 16 radionuclides that a task force concluded warrant additional security or protection.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is issuing a final rule to strengthen security protection for transporting certain types of radioactive materials that are considered risk significantly. Its final rule being published March 19 lists quantities of 16 radionuclides that a task force concluded warrant additional security or protection.
The agency says in the rule that it considered a petition from Washington State's governor asking that NRC require GPS tracking for vehicles transporting highly radioactive mobile or portable electronic devices. While the final rule does not require GPS to be used, it does contain a requirement to use a telemetric monitoring system or alternative tracking system when transporting category 1 quantities of radioactive material, and GPS is one method to accomplish this, the rule states.
Existing security orders NRC has issued in the past will remain in place for licensees until the final rule is implemented one year from now. Nearly 1,400 licensees are affected by the rule, it states.