The Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted certain authorities to oversee radioactive materials to the state of Indiana, making it the 41st NRC agreement state.
NRC Chair Ho Nieh and Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) signed the agreement Thursday in Indianapolis, according to NRC’s press release. Under the agreement, Indiana will manage over 200 licenses that use radioactive materials in academic, industrial and medical fields. The agreement will go into effect by the end of this month.
Though Indiana will have the ability to regulate certain nuclear materials, NRC will still maintain oversight of the state’s program. The federal agency will also perform periodic reviews of Indiana to make sure it is operating within the federal requirements, NRC said.
“This is an important milestone for Indiana and for the NRC,” said Nieh in the release. “Indiana has demonstrated that its regulatory program can meet the NRC’s standards for protecting public health and safety. As an Agreement State, Indiana can apply that expertise to address the needs of its communities while maintaining the high safety standards Americans expect.”
Indiana put in a bid to become an NRC agreement state in May. The state has taken a large interest in nuclear power in recent years. Though the state does not have any operating reactors, new nuclear developments are under consideration. .
Recently, the United States Navy said it plans to deploy a microreactor at its Naval Weapons Station Crane in Indiana. On the commercial side, First American Nuclear Company has been in talks with NRC about regulatory engagement plans for an advanced reactor and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication facility.
Last year, the Indiana state government approved legislation for small modular reactor (SMR) development costs, Senate Bill 424, and a SMR pilot program that allows for up to two SMRs to be deployed, Senate Bill 423.
“This agreement means more power in the hands of Hoosiers, not Washington, D.C.,” said Braun in the release. “More regulatory control for our state creates an opportunity for more reliable and affordable power for Hoosiers.”