Radioactive Materials - History of the Agreement State Program

An agreement state is a state that enters into an agreement with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to assume regulatory authority over certain radioactive materials under federal jurisdiction. The state becomes responsible for licensing and inspecting radioactive materials formerly regulated by the NRC. The state receives the license fee revenue to support the program, and sets its own fees. NRC staff periodically evaluate the state regulatory program.

The agreement state program was established by Congress in 1959.  The first agreement state was Kentucky in 1962.

There are about 270 licensed users of radioactive materials in Wisconsin.

No. Nuclear power plants, high level radioactive waste and federal facilities remain under the regulatory authority of the federal government.

Agreement state status:

• Reduces licensing fees from past levels.
• Minimizes future fees increases.
• Brings regulator closer to customers.
• Establishes uniform regulation of radioactive materials by a comprehensive state program.

An agreement state program produces minimal change for most material users. Material licensing, inspection at the same frequency, and enforcement continue. The primary difference is that material users are regulated by the State of Wisconsin, rather than the NRC.

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