ML26016A587
| ML26016A587 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/20/2026 |
| From: | Adelaide Giantelli NRC/NMSS/DMSST/ASPB |
| To: | Buffum K State of ME, Dept of Health & Human Services |
| References | |
| Download: ML26016A587 (0) | |
Text
Kimberly Buffum, Manager Maine Department of Health & Human Services Radiological Control Program 286 Water Street, 11 SHS Augusta, ME 04333-0011
SUBJECT:
NATIONAL MATERIALS PROGRAM INTRODUCTION TO NEW RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Dear Kimberly Buffum:
I am pleased to learn of your appointment as the Radiation Control Program Director (RCPD) for the State of Maine and am providing general information about the RCPD role as part of the National Materials Program (NMP).
The NMP is a broad collective framework within which both the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Agreement States function in carrying out their respective regulatory programs for radioactive material. Although the NMP has only been around for about 25 years, the Agreement State program has been in existence since 1959 with the adoption of Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act (AEA). The Agreement State program is unique in that it involves a discontinuance of NRC regulatory authority over certain radioactive materials and assumption of that authority by the State government. For additional information, please go to the National Materials Program and Agreement State websites National Materials Program and Agreement State Program.
The NRC works with the Organization of Agreement States (OAS) to coordinate NMP implementation efforts. The OAS is a nonprofit, voluntary, scientific, and professional society incorporated in the District of Columbia. The membership of OAS consists of state radiation control directors and staff from the 40 Agreement States who are responsible for implementation of their respective Agreement State programs. The purpose of the OAS is to provide a mechanism for these Agreement States to work with each other and with the NRC on regulatory issues associated with their respective agreements.
The OAS Board is integral in facilitating Agreement State participation in NMP activities, including appointing the Agreement State NMP Champion, to work alongside with the NRC NMP Champion, and establishing annual NMP goals and priorities and related quality measures.
Under Section 274 of the AEA, the NRC has programmatic responsibility to periodically review the actions of the Agreement States to comply with the requirements of the AEA to continue to maintain adequate and compatible programs. While this authority is reserved to the NRC, the current review process under the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP) is conducted with State staff participation under the NMP. The IMPEP process January 20, 2026
Kimberly Buffum 2
employs a team of NRC and Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional and certain NRC Headquarters radioactive materials programs.
Each Agreement State has a primary point of contact, and a Regional States Agreement Officer (RSAO) operating out of the NRC Regional Offices. The designated RSAO for the State of Maine is Farrah Gaskins. Your RSAO will be in contact with you to set up a meeting to discuss more details of the Agreement State and IMPEP Programs. You may also contact your RSAO at Farrah.Gaskins@nrc.gov or 610-337-5143.
In closing, I want to emphasize that the NRCs cooperative relationships with States are essential to accomplishing the agencys mission of protecting public health and safety, providing for common defense and security, and protecting the environment. We hope that this relationship will continue to benefit the State of Maine and the NRC. Your role in continuing this vital relationship is important and we look forward to working with you.
Please feel free to contact your RSAO listed above or the NRC NMP Champion, Sherrie Flaherty at sherrie.flaherty@nrc.gov for assistance or additional information.
Sincerely, Adelaide Giantelli, Branch Chief State Agreement and Liaison Programs Branch Division of Materials Safety, Security, State, and Tribal Programs Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Johnson, Robert signing on behalf of Giantelli, Adelaide on 01/20/26
Ltr ML26016A587 OFFICE NMSS/MSST/SLPB NMSS/MSST/SMPB NAME SFlaherty AGiantelli RJohnson for DATE Jan 20, 2026 Jan 20, 2026