Indiana Becomes 41st State to Assume Oversight of Radioactive Materials

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana today became the nation’s 41st Agreement State, assuming responsibility for regulating certain radioactive materials used across the state after receiving approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Under the agreement, which takes effect Sept. 30, Indiana will oversee approximately 213 licenses covering the use of radioactive materials in medical, academic and industrial settings. The state will be responsible for licensing, inspection and enforcement of these activities.

“This agreement means more power in the hands of Hoosiers, not Washington, D.C.,” said Gov. Mike Braun. “More regulatory control for our state creates an opportunity for more reliable and affordable power for Hoosiers.”

“This is an important milestone for Indiana and for the NRC,” said NRC Chairman Ho K. Nieh. “Indiana has demonstrated that its regulatory program can meet the NRC’s standards for protecting public health and safety. As an Agreement State, Indiana can apply that expertise to address the needs of its communities while maintaining the high safety standards Americans expect.”

NRC Chairman Nieh and Indiana Gov. Braun signed the formal agreement today in Indianapolis.

The agreement is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act, which allows the NRC to transfer regulatory authority over certain radioactive materials to states that demonstrate they have adequate programs to protect public health and safety. Indiana’s program was reviewed by the NRC to ensure it meets applicable federal standards.

Indiana will regulate radioactive materials used for purposes including medical diagnosis and treatment, university research and industrial applications. The NRC will retain oversight of the state program and conduct periodic reviews to ensure Indiana continues to meet federal requirements.

With Indiana joining the Agreement State program, 41 states now regulate these uses of radioactive materials under agreements with the NRC, while the NRC continues to directly regulate radioactive materials in the remaining states and certain federally regulated activities.