| Abstrakt: |
The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, empowers the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to establish by rule or order, and to enforce, standards to govern civilian uses of nuclear materials in order to protect health and safety and minimize danger to life or property. The NRC issues regulations in Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR). NRC Regulations govern the construction and operation of nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities as well as the use of radioactive materials. The NRC's rulemaking process is governed by the Administrative Procedures Act. NRC regulations are created and updated in an open environment, providing opportunities for the public to provide input to the regulations multiple times. The rulemaking process includes coordination between the NRC, its licensees, the public, and other interested parties. NRC develops, documents, and implements policies and procedures for developing effective, coherent, consistent, and understandable regulations. NRC staff prepare regulatory analyses, including cost analysis on the impact of proposed regulatory activities and the risk significance of its regulations. NRC also creates rulemaking schedules to ensure that rules are developed in time frames specified by Commission guidance. This paper will provide an overview of the NRC's rulemaking process. NRC staff are currently revising 10 CFR Part 74: Material Control and Accounting for Special Nuclear Material. This section details the requirements for material control and accounting (MC&A) of special nuclear material (SNM) for fuel cycle facilities and other licensees possessing SNM. The revision includes relocating some MC&A requirements from other 10 CFR chapters to consolidate MC&A requirements in Part 74. Additional changes include revision of general performance objectives, addition of definitions, revision of MC&A exemptions, and enhancement of tamper-indicating device programs. This paper will discuss the proposed changes to 10 CFR Part 74 and opportunities for public involvement during the remainder of the rulemaking process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
