Connecticut has been granted certain authority to oversee radioactive materials, becoming the 40th Nuclear Regulatory Commission agreement state.
NRC Chairman David Wright and Connecticut Gov. Edward “Ned” Lamont (D) signed the agreement Sept. 25. The final agreement was published in the Federal Register on Monday.
According to the governor’s Sept. 25 press release, the agreement has given the state oversight over radioactive materials used by more than 100 state businesses in the research, manufacturing and medical fields.
Under the agreement, Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will oversee the licensing and enforce the in-state use of the radioactive materials in education, medicine and industry.
“Today’s agreement is another win for regulatory streamlining and a thriving business climate,” Lamont said in the release. “Through this partnership with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Connecticut is protecting the health and safety of our residents, saving taxpayer money, and improving efficiency to help our healthcare and research industries do what they do best, provide great care and innovate.”
According to the NRC website, the state first sought to become an agreement state in December 2020 when it filed a letter of intent.