RECENT CHANGE TO U.S. REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF PLUTONIUM

The paper describes the historical background for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC's) rules regarding double containment for plutonium bearing solids, and discusses the Department ofEnergy's (DOE's) petition to the NRC for a change to the rule. The discussions address DOE's reason for petitioning for a change to the rule, the basis for the original double containment rule, and the NRC's basis for the proposed rule. Implications of the proposed rule on transportation activities in the U.S. are also considered.