Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: 23-079 December 13, 2023
CONTACT: David McIntyre, 301-415-8200
NRC Ends Probation of Mississippi’s Agreement State Regulatory Program; Heightened Oversight to Continue
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is discontinuing probation on Mississippi’s program for regulating the use of radioactive materials. This decision is the result of an NRC review earlier this year, which found that the state has made significant progress in addressing several areas of unsatisfactory performance.
The NRC placed Mississippi’s program on probation in September 2022, marking the second time the agency has taken such action.
Mississippi’s “Agreement State” program will remain under heightened oversight, which involves frequent interaction with the NRC staff, including bimonthly conference calls and periodic status reports. The NRC will formally review Mississippi’s progress again in approximately two years.
Mississippi is one of 39 states that have entered into agreements with the NRC to provide them with the regulatory authority to license and regulate certain nuclear materials users within their borders. The NRC retains an oversight role and periodically assesses the states’ programs for adequacy and compatibility with NRC regulations. The NRC also maintains responsibility for regulating commercial nuclear power plants.
Last year’s NRC review of Mississippi’s program concluded it was “adequate to protect public health and safety but needs improvement and not compatible with the NRC’s program.” This year’s review noted significant improvements in inspection, licensing, staff training, and incident and allegation handling.
The NRC staff’s 2023 report on Mississippi’s program, the Commission’s approval of the staff’s recommendation to discontinue probation, and NRC Chair Christopher Hanson’s letter to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves are available on the NRC website.
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