When the Utah State Legislature passed House Bill 78 Nuclear Regulatory Amendments, the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Office was created and tasked with several technical and administrative functions.
The Office serves as the official bridge between the State of Utah and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This ensures that when federal licenses are being discussed for Utah projects, the state has a dedicated, expert seat at the table.
A critical task for the Office is to evaluate and pursue “Expanded Agreement State Status.” This involves a formal process to increase Utah’s regulatory authority over other elements of the nuclear fuel cycle.
Through expanded regulatory authority, the Office would be responsible for the oversight of any additional lifecycle of nuclear energy production activities. Examples of such potential could be enrichment and fabrication. These are two processes that prepare uranium for use as fuel. Other areas that could be overseen are waste management, storage, and material management, which ensures that all nuclear material is handled and stored securely.
Setting the Standards
The Office is responsible for developing and enforcing a strict set of Utah-specific rules. These regulations ensure that any facility operating within the state meets high bars for siting and security. This establishes where a facility can be located and what physical security measures are required.
Performance objectives will be set to ensure that Utah’s air, soil, and groundwater are safeguarded.
The Office will ensure that any future facility has financial surety funds in place for decommissioning prior to breaking ground. This ensures that the cost of safely closing a site is never passed on to Utah taxpayers.
Regarding emergency response, the Office works hand-in-hand with local and state emergency responders, providing the technical expertise and coordination needed to ensure our communities are safe. By partnering with local fire and police, we ensure they have the training, resources, and tested response plans necessary to keep Utahns safe.