NRC SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A NUCLEAR WASTE REPOSITORY
Printable Version

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment on a proposed rule that would amend security requirements for a high-level nuclear waste geologic repository proposed for Yucca Mountain, Nev.

The agency will hold a public meeting Jan. 23 in Las Vegas to describe the proposed rule and receive public comments.

The proposed rule, to be published soon in the Federal Register, would establish new security and material control and accounting requirements for a “geologic repository operations area.” The goal of the rule is to ensure that effective security measures are in place for the protection of high-level radioactive waste and other radioactive material at a repository in the post-Sept. 11 threat environment.

New requirements for security training, improved access authorization, improvements to defensive strategies and enhanced reporting requirements are included in the rule. The proposed rule would also establish general performance objectives and capabilities for the material control and accountability program and would require the emergency response plan to address radiological emergencies.

The proposed rule will be available through the NRC’s ADAMS online document library at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams/web-based.html by entering access number ML073370554.   The NRC will accept public comments on the proposed rule for 75 days following publication in the Federal Register. Comments may be mailed to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington D.C., 20555-0001, ATTN: Rulemakings and Adjudication Staff. They may also be submitted by e-mail to rulemaking.comments@nrc.gov or through the federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Comments should include the number RIN 3150-AI06.

The Jan. 23 public meeting will be held at the NRC’s Las Vegas Hearing Facility, Pacific Enterprise Plaza, Building One, 3250 Pepper Lane, Las Vegas, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. After a brief presentation on the rule by NRC staff, the floor will be open for public comments. NRC staff will not answer questions regarding the rule during the meeting.

Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting are requested to pre-register by contacting Vivian Mehrhoff at (702) 794-5053 or vlm@nrc.gov by Jan. 22. Registration will also be taken at the meeting.

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
Wednesday, April 30, 2008