Nuclear Regulatory Commission Physical Protection Licensing and Inspection

摘要

The NRC, through its regulations in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 73 (10 CFRPart 73) and security Orders, establishes requirements for physical protection at commercial nuclearfacilities in the U.S. Through physical protection inspections, the NRC provides oversight andassesses compliance of its licensees with these requirements. Implementation of physical protectionat commercial nuclear facilities is the responsibility of NRC licensees and consists of a variety ofmeasures for the protection of special nuclear material (SNM) against sabotage, theft, and diversionwhile at a facility and during transit. The NRC requires its licensees to take a graded approach tophysical 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 EnergyAgency’s INFCIRC 225, “The Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities” andis determined by the risk significance of the materials or facilities being protected. Existingcommercial nuclear facilities with physical protection programs include nuclear reactors, uraniumconversion facilities, uranium enrichment facilities, fuel manufacturing facilities, and spent fuelstorage and disposal facilities. Additionally, the NRC regulates commercial transporters of SNM,which have physical protection programs to address in-transit activities such as surfacetransportation 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 materialwould greatly benefit from an understanding of NRC licensing and oversight processes andprocedures. This paper discusses the NRC’s regulatory approach to commercial nuclear facilitylicensing and oversight as it relates to fixed site and in-transit physical protection.