NRC SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS TO
PHYSICAL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS
Printable Version

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment on a proposed rule amending its security regulations related to the physical protection of nuclear power reactors. This proposed rulemaking also includes a limited number of new security requirements for certain facilities that manufacture uranium fuel.

The proposed rulemaking supplements requirements for access controls, event reporting, security personnel training, coordination between safety and security activities, contingency planning and protection against radiological sabotage. The proposed rule also adds requirements related to background checks for firearms users and authorization for enhanced weapons to fulfill certain provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

This proposed rulemaking incorporates requirements that had been previously imposed by the Commission through Orders issued after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Additionally, the proposed requirements for safety/security interface address in part, a Petition for Rulemaking (PRM 50-80), which requested regulations for governing proposed changes to facilities that could adversely affect the licensee’s ability to protect against radiological sabotage.

This proposed rule supplements the security requirements deemed necessary by the NRC to protect against the Design Basis Threat (DBT). In November 2005, the NRC issued a proposed rule on the supplemented DBT for public comment. A final DBT rule is still under development by staff.

Comments must be received within 75 days of publication in the Federal Register to guarantee consideration by the NRC. Comments submitted later than this date may be considered if practical. They can be mailed to: Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C., 20555-0001, ATTN: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff. Comments can be hand-carried to 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Md., between 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. on federal work days, or they can be faxed to 301-415-1101. E-mail comments can also be sent to rulemaking.comments@nrc.gov. In addition, comments can also be submitted through the NRC’s eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov . The entire proposed rule will also be available at that Web location.

More information about security requirements for NRC licensees can be found on the NRC’s Web site, http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/safety-security.html.

NRC news releases are available through a free listserv subscription at the following Web address: http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/listserver.html. The NRC Home Page at www.nrc.gov also offers a Subscribe to News link in the News & Information menu. E-mail notifications are sent to subscribers when news releases are posted to NRC's Web Site.

Privacy Policy | Site Disclaimer
Friday, November 28, 2008