ML24184B854

News Release-24-050: NRC Approves Proposed Rule on Physical Security Requirements for Advanced Reactors

ML24184B854
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Issue date:	06/18/2024
From:	Office of Public Affairs
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News Release-24-050
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No: 24-050 June 18, 2024 CONTACT: Dave McIntyre, 301-415-8200 NRC Approves Proposed Rule on Physical Security Requirements for Advanced Reactors The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the staffs proposal to establish voluntary alternative physical security requirements for advanced reactors. The proposed rule is to be published in the Federal Register for public comment once the staff incorporates changes directed by the Commission.

The proposed rule would apply to non-light-water reactors and light-water small modular reactors that meet certain criteria related to the potential radiological consequences of an accident or sabotage. Some of these reactor designs will have smaller power outputs and smaller inventories of fission products than traditional large light-water reactors in use today. Such attributes could result in smaller and slower releases following a loss of safety functions compared to the larger reactors.

The proposed rule would allow such facilities to employ voluntary alternative physical security requirements appropriate to the risk posed by their technology instead of the prescriptive requirements in current NRC regulations for large light-water reactors.

The staffs proposal and supporting documents and the Commissions staff requirements memorandum approving the proposed rule are available on the NRC website.