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

[daleboyce@charter.net]

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



Without have the AEA in front of me the edits don't make too much sense to me yet.  However, if the intent to bring accelerator produced material under the jurisdiction of the NRC, then it has significant negative impact in many states.



States have access to the Richland site for NARM, but states outside the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Compacts must ship byproduct material to Barnwell.  If changes to the Act bring NARM under the LLWPA, then it could get a whole lot more expensive for most of the country to dispose of NARM.



Dale

daleboyce@charter.net

  ----- Original Message ----- 

  From: Jim Blute 

  To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu 

  Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 3:27 PM

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





  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