How does the NRC ensure Agreement States provide proper oversight?
NRC is required by the Atomic Energy Act to periodically review Agreement States’ regulatory programs to ensure that they are adequate to protect public health and safety and are compatible with NRC regulations. These periodic reviews of the Agreement States’ radiation protection programs are performed as part of NRC’s Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). Agreement States’ regulatory programs are reviewed every four years. If performance issues are identified with an Agreement State program, more frequent reviews or formal interactions are performed. In some circumstances, the State will prepare and implement a Program Improvement Program, which is reviewed by the NRC. In addition to IMPEP reviews, NRC conducts management meetings with the Agreement States between the reviews. NRC also performs detailed technical and legal reviews of all Agreement State regulations to ensure compatibility with NRC regulations. For most NRC amendments to the regulations, the Agre
