PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF MATERIALS PROTECTION, CONTROL, AND ACCOUNTING COOPERATION: NRC EXPERIENCE AND PLANS

Since 1994, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has been working cooperatively to support the strengthening of nuclear material protection, control, and accounting (MPC&A) in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. NRC has helped these former Soviet Union (FSU) countries develop their regulatory programs by support in developing regulations, licensing and inspection programs. NRC=s support for the MPC&A regulatory programs considers the number and types of nuclear facilities under the regulatory authorities, and takes into account the staffing levels and experience of the FSU countries= regulatory agencies. NRC’s regulatory cooperation with its counterparts is important to help ensure that MPC&A measures in these countries are capable of being consistently and effectively applied, and maintained over time. This paper briefly describes past work, current activities, and future plans in the cooperative MPC&A efforts between NRC and Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. The degree to which future plans will be pursued and the timing of these activities depends on the level of funding that will be available for contractor support, travel, and NRC staff costs.