Revision of Atomic Energy Act - NRC to Regulate Accelerator Produced?

["Jim Blute" <jblute@NITON.com>]

Dear Radsafers,



A colleague of mine who was searching the internet today found a bill that was introduced into senate (by Senator Clinton of NY) on July 22, 2004 to Amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.  The revision seems quite simple but has some big implications (as I see it) for our industry.  The revision is described as...



"To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to clarify the treatment of accelerator-produced and other radioactive material as byproduct material. "

This proposal can be found through the following page by searching for Bill # S 2763.

http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.html





This seems like a major issue that would finally bring consistency to the regulation of accelerator and reactor produced materials.



QUESTIONS:



Is anyone familiar with this Bill and what it is likely to accomplish?



What is the likelihood of its being passed?



What will this mean to non-agreement state regulators who will lose this authority?



How long is it likely to be before we see changes in NRC regulations?



I am interested in any comments about this proposed revision by congress.



Jim Blute, CHP

Corporate Radiation Safety Officer

NITON LLC

900 Middlesex Turnpike, Bldg. #8

Billerica, MA 01821-3926 USA

Toll Free 1-800-875-1578

Tel: 978-670-7460

Fax: 978-670-7430

e-mail: jblute@niton.com