Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is a key U.S. federal agency responsible for regulating the nuclear power industry and the civilian use of nuclear materials. Established on January 19, 1975, following the dissolution of the Atomic Energy Commission, the NRC was created to separate the promotion of nuclear energy from its regulation to avoid conflicts of interest. Its mission focuses on developing policies that protect public health and the environment while ensuring national security.
The NRC's regulatory responsibilities encompass three main areas: reactors, materials, and waste. This includes overseeing the safety of power and research reactors, regulating facilities that handle nuclear materials for various sectors, and managing the transportation, storage, and disposal of nuclear waste. The agency operates under several legislative mandates, including the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act, which shape its operational framework.
A significant aspect of the NRC's work involves setting radiation safety standards, a complex issue given the ongoing debate about safe exposure levels. Additionally, the agency prioritizes national security, developing measures to prevent potential terrorist threats to nuclear facilities and materials. Overall, the NRC plays a critical role in balancing the advancement of nuclear technology with the responsibility of ensuring safety and security.
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Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
IDENTIFICATION: US federal agency charged with regulating the nuclear power industry and the civilian use of nuclear materials
DATE: Began operating on January 19, 1975
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission serves an important role in preventing environmental pollution through its regulation of all civilian use of nuclear materials in the United States.
When it was decided that the dual responsibilities of promoting nuclear energy and regulating safety in the United States created a conflict of interest for the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), the AEC was abolished by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974. This act established the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to be responsible for regulating nuclear safety and the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) to handle the promotion of nuclear science (ERDA, along with other agencies, became the US Department of Energy in 1977).
The mission of the NRC is to develop policies and rules for civilian use of nuclear reactors and materials. These policies and rules must serve the purposes of protecting people and the environment, encouraging security, and providing for the common defense. The NRC’s responsibilities may be divided into three main areas: reactors, materials, and waste. Reactor-related regulations cover both power reactors and reactors used for research or training. Materials-related regulations concern the facilities that produce and the nuclear materials used in academic, industrial, and medical facilities. Waste-related regulations include those concerning the transportation, storage, and disposal of nuclear waste and the decommissioning of nuclear facilities.
The US Congress has passed many different laws since the NRC’s establishment that specify responsibilities of the agency and affect its operations. These include the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978, which concerns protection of the from radon emitted by the waste produced by uranium mills; the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978, which strengthened the NRC’s control of exported nuclear materials and increased international of nuclear materials and facilities; and the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985, which made US states responsible for the low-level radioactive waste produced within their borders.
A continuing concern for the NRC is the setting of standards for radiation safety. Scientists have not been able to determine what levels of to radiation can be considered safe; thus, controversy accompanies any attempt to establish standards in this area. Another ongoing concern of the NRC is national security. The agency has increasingly emphasized the development of countermeasures that may be taken in the event that terrorists attempt to take over nuclear facilities or attack targets in the United States using stolen nuclear materials.
Bibliography
Rosenbaum, Walter A. Environmental Politics and Policy. 7th ed. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2008.
"NRC Endorses New Guidance for Advanced Reactor Licensing." Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, 25 Mar. 2024, www.energy.gov/ne/articles/nrc-endorses-new-guidance-advanced-reactor-licensing. Accessed 21 July 2024.
Portuondo, Nico. "Congress Takes Aim at Nation's Nuclear Regulator." Politico, 24 Jan. 2024, www.politico.com/newsletters/power-switch/2024/01/24/congress-takes-aim-at-nations-nuclear-regulator-00137531. Accessed 21 July 2024.
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Radiation Protection and the NRC. Washington, DC: Author, 2006.