Briefing on Materials Licensing and Security
April 30, 2008 Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs and Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response
Overview
• • • • Security and Control Program GAO Investigation & Action Plan National Source Tracking System Web-Based Licensing
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Security and Control Program
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Materials Security Pre-9/11
• Security Considered in Safety Programs • Not Focused on Malevolent Acts • Recognized Need to Improve Control of Risk-Significant Sources • IAEA Code of Conduct under revision
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Material Security Post-9/11
• Applied a risk-informed graded approach to significantly enhance materials security • Issued Orders: Large Irradiators, Manufacturers/Distributors, Transportation, Increased Controls, and Fingerprinting • Fingerprinting Order for non-M&D Service Providers
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Interagency Coordination
• Radiation Source Security and Protection Task Force • Nuclear Government Coordinating Council • NRC/DHS/NNSA Trilateral Activities
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Radiation Source Security and Protection Task Force
• Chaired by NRC with Federal and State participation • Evaluate the security of radiation sources • Primary vehicle for advancing issues across the government
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Radiation Sources Subgroup
• Develop a definition of what constitutes a significant RDD/RED and report to the task force by May 2008 • Re-evaluate lists of isotopes and threshold values that warrant enhanced security and protection and report to the task force by November 2008
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Cesium Chloride Subgroup
• Conduct a study to assess the feasibility of phasing out the use of CsCl • Final Report - estimated August 2008
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Alternative Technologies Subgroup
• To evaluate the alternatives for Category 1 and 2 sources • Requested task force approval to submit Final Report - Spring 2009
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National Academies Study on Source Use and Replacement
• The National Academies recommendations to enhance the safety and security of radiation sources are welcomed • These recommendations will serve as an important point and are being considered along with others from a number of different sources
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National Academies Study on Source Use and Replacement (Continued)
• Replacement of radiation sources with alternatives should be implemented with caution, ensuring that the essential functions that radiation sources perform are preserved.
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Related Security Rulemakings
• Physical security of sealed sources • GL Rulemaking • Transportation Security • Fingerprinting/Access Authorization
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Increased Controls
• Increased Controls – Issued 11/05 Enhance control of material to prevent unauthorized access for malevolent use of material or mitigate consequences • Implementation Status • Program Review
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• Fingerprinting – Issued 12/07 Fingerprinting is designed to assist in the determination of the trustworthiness and reliability of an individual prior to being granted unescorted access to radioactive material • Implementation Status
Fingerprinting for Increased Controls
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GAO Action Plan Status
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2007 GAO Investigation
• Applied for and Obtained NRC License • Altered NRC License • Contacted Suppliers to Sell Material • Parallel Attempt to Obtain Agreement State License Aborted When Notified of Site Visit
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Action Plan Overview
• • • • • • Immediate Actions Independent External Review Panel Pre-Licensing Working Group Materials Program Working Group NSTS and WBL GL Rulemaking
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Independent External Review Panel
• Report issued March 11, 2008 • Commission Briefing March 18, 2008 • Findings • Staff actions
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Pre-Licensing Working Group
• NRC and Agreement State Co-Chairs • Issued revised pre-licensing guidance on January 15, 2008 to determine the legitimacy of applicants and uses • Being implemented by all regions and states
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• NRC and Agreement State Co-Chairs • Three Objectives – Short Term Solutions – Evaluate Independent Panel Recommendations – Review of Materials Program • Pending policy issue on transfers
Materials Program Working Group
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STATUS OF NATIONAL SOURCE TRACKING SYSTEM
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• System tracks transactions of Category 1 and 2 sealed sources among NRC and Agreement State licensees; includes DOE sources • Designed and developed in conjunction with stakeholders
National Source Tracking System
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• Development completed; testing underway • Contractor has begun setup of hosting environment • Initial Deployment 12/2008 • Licensees begin using 1/31/09 • MPKI
National Source Tracking System Status
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• Rulemaking to expand NSTS • NSTS-Web-Based Licensing Interface • Procedures for access to information • Interim Inventory
Next Steps
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Status of Web-Based Licensing
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Web-Based Licensing
• Replacement of License Tracking System used for Materials Licensing • WBL development in coordination with Agreement States – Working Group • Proceeding with procurement
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• The purpose is to establish automated verification checks using WBL and NSTS data • Responsive to both GAO and IERP Recommendations • Development in FY10
Automated License Verification Service
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Vision and Future of the Materials Security Arena
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Acronyms
• CsCl – Cesium Chloride • DNDO - Domestic Nuclear Detection Office • DOE – Department of Energy • DHS – Department of Homeland Security • GAO – Government Accountability Office
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Acronyms
• GL – General License • IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency • IERP – Independent External Review Panel • M&D – Manufacturer and Distributor • MPKI – Managed Public Key Infrastructure
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Acronyms
• NNSA – National Nuclear Security Administration • NRC – Nuclear Regulatory Commission • NSTS – National Source Tracking Systems • RDD – Radiological Dispersal Device
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Acronyms
• RED – Radiological Exposure Device • WBL – Web-Based Licensing
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