TRANSPORTATION SECURITY RULEMAKING ACTIVITIES FOR CATEGORY 1 AND 2 MATERIALS IN THE UNITED STATES

Since the formation of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the agency’s mission has been to license civilian, peaceful uses of radioactive material but to ensuring adequate protection of the public health and safety, and promoting the common defense and security, and protection of the environment. The events of September 11, 2001, heightened our concerns about the use of radioactive material by a terrorist. The theft or diversion of risk-significant radioactive material during transport could lead to their use in a malicious act. Following September 11th, the NRC evaluated its regulations, conducted security assessments, identified areas where security could be enhanced and, as an interim solution, issued Orders imposing additional security beyond the existing requirements found in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). In 2013, the NRC published a rule imposing additional in-transit security requirements and, once fully implemented, the rule will replace the post September 11, transportation security Orders. This paper will focus on the NRC efforts to improve in-transit security of IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources Category 1 and 2 radioactive materials through requirements, guidance and technology. These enhanced intransit security requirements will address areas such as licensee verification, preplanning and coordinating shipments, advance notification of shipments, control and monitoring of shipments that are underway, trustworthiness and reliability of personnel, and information security considerations.