Is Indiana an Agreement State

• Mar 31, 2022
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Indiana is among the 33 states in the United States that operate under an agreement state program. This program gives states the ability to regulate certain aspects of nuclear materials and radiation as an alternative to the federal government`s direct control.

The agreement state program is authorized by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, which gives the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) the power to establish agreements with states to allow them to regulate nuclear materials and radiation in their own respective territories.

An agreement state is one that has established an agreement with the NRC, which gives it the authority to regulate nuclear materials and radiation within its own borders, as long as it agrees to comply with federal regulations. This agreement is formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the NRC and the state.

The agreement state program has been in existence since the 1960s, and it has been successful in allowing states to regulate nuclear materials and radiation in a manner that is consistent with federal regulations, as well as in promoting greater cooperation between the federal government and the states.

In Indiana, the agreement state program is administered by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) through its Radiation Programs Division. This division is responsible for regulating the use of nuclear materials and radiation within the state, as well as for overseeing the licensing of facilities that use such materials.

The IDHS Radiation Programs Division also conducts inspections and audits of licensed facilities to ensure that they are operating in compliance with state and federal regulations. It also works with other state and federal agencies to respond to radiological emergencies and incidents that may occur within the state`s borders.

In conclusion, Indiana is indeed an agreement state. This means that it has the authority to regulate nuclear materials and radiation within its own borders, as long as it complies with federal regulations. The agreement state program has been successful in promoting greater cooperation between the federal government and the states, and in allowing states to regulate nuclear materials and radiation in a manner that is consistent with federal regulations.