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When I served as chair of the Environment Committee, we passed legislation that would allow the state to enter an agreement with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (U.S. NRC) to regulate radioactive material licenses.
Today, Connecticut became the U.S NRC's 40th “Agreement State,” giving the state oversight over the handling of radioactive materials used by more than 100 Connecticut businesses in the research, manufacturing, and healthcare fields.
The agreement enables Connecticut to streamline processes and increase efficiency while maintaining the highest safety standards. Trained staff with the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), will oversee licensing, inspection, and enforcement of the use of radioactive materials that industries, hospitals, and universities utilize to provide top-quality healthcare and continue to innovate. It's expected that $1.7 million in license fees will come to the state, and that revenue will help fund the program staff.
The framework eliminates dual regulation and provides licensees with direct access to local regulators who are familiar with their communities, without incurring any additional costs to licensees or taxpayers. Connecticut’s partnership with the NRC will continue. The agency will verify Connecticut’s program remains adequate and effective at ensuring the safe use of radioactive materials through a periodic review process.
The agreement was signed by Governor Lamont and U.S. NRC Chairman David Wright at the State Capitol.
I'm proud to see this multi-year process finally come to fruition.
For more information about the NRC’s Agreement State program, click HERE. For more information about Connecticut’s application process for this program, click HERE.
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