Nuclear Regulatory Commission Physical Protection Licensing and Inspection

The NRC, through its regulations in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 73 (10 CFR Part 73) and security Orders, establishes requirements for physical protection at commercial nuclear facilities in the U.S. Through physical protection inspections, the NRC provides oversight and assesses compliance of its licensees with these requirements. Implementation of physical protection at commercial nuclear facilities is the responsibility of NRC licensees and consists of a variety of measures for the protection of special nuclear material (SNM) against sabotage, theft, and diversion while at a facility and during transit. The NRC requires its licensees to take a graded approach to physical protection through the use of specifically defined areas with increasing levels of security. This graded approach is similar to that which can be found in the International Atomic Energy Agency’s INFCIRC 225, “The Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities” and is determined by the risk significance of the materials or facilities being protected. Existing commercial nuclear facilities with physical protection programs include nuclear reactors, uranium conversion facilities, uranium enrichment facilities, fuel manufacturing facilities, and spent fuel storage and disposal facilities. Additionally, the NRC regulates commercial transporters of SNM, which have physical protection programs to address in-transit activities such as surface transportation of nuclear material by truck, train, barge, and air. Those who seek to design, construct, and operate future commercial nuclear facilities or transport special nuclear material would greatly benefit from an understanding of NRC licensing and oversight processes and procedures. This paper discusses the NRC’s regulatory approach to commercial nuclear facility licensing and oversight as it relates to fixed site and in-transit physical protection.