Governor Rendell Signs Measure Strengthening State Oversight of Most PA Facilities...

Governor Rendell Signs Measure Strengthening State Oversight of Most PA
Facilities Using Radioactive Materials

PA Gains 'Agreement state' Status with NRC; Federal Government Will Retain
Control of Nuclear Power Plants

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Under an agreement signed
last week with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Pennsylvania today
assumed regulatory authority over approximately 700 radioactive material users
in the state, a change Governor Edward G. Rendell said will strengthen public
safety by improving emergency response capabilities.

The Governor said with its new "agreement state" status, Pennsylvania will be
better able to provide timely and accurate information to state and local
authorities responding to incidents involving radioactive materials, which
improves public safety.

"This move increases public safety because state officials will have greater
knowledge of the radioactive materials that are being used in Pennsylvania,
and will be better able to respond to any emergency situation," Governor
Rendell said. "State officials are usually the first to respond to incidents
involving radioactive materials. Now, these officials will have more knowledge
to protect the public from the first minute they arrive on scene."

Under the agreement, Pennsylvania assumes regulatory authority from the NRC
over most of the in-state facilities using radioactive materials -- the
majority of which are medical facilities treating patients with nuclear
medicine procedures.

Industrial, construction and pharmaceutical firms using radioactive materials
also now fall under the state's jurisdiction, as do colleges and universities
using nuclear materials for academic purposes.

Pennsylvania's nine nuclear power plants and one research reactor will
continue to be regulated by the NRC.

The Governor added that the agreement also improves the business climate
through lower licensing fees and less duplicative regulatory requirements.

"Pennsylvania's businesses will benefit because state licensing fees are
expected to be lower than the NRC's in the long run," said the Governor.
"These savings will help to reduce costs and encourage businesses to locate
and expand here, creating jobs for Pennsylvanians."

Radioactive material licensing fees are expected to generate at least $2
million a year, which should be sufficient to fund the entire cost of
licensing, inspecting and regulating facilities within the state that hold
such licenses.

As required by law, no state general fund tax dollars will be used for this
program.

"Many of Pennsylvania's major employers --- medical facilities, pharmaceutical
makers and manufacturers --- use radioactive materials," said Governor
Rendell. "Providing these businesses with a single point of contact on issues
related to radioactive materials and x-rays helps eliminate the potential for
confusion and will streamline the regulatory and licensing process for these
companies. That means a more efficient operation from the state's perspective
and fewer regulatory hurdles and expenses for companies."

The NRC licensed 693 radioactive material users in the state and, prior to
gaining the agreement state status, Pennsylvania licensed 436 users. About
half of the state's licensees were also licensed by the NRC.

As an agreement state, Pennsylvania assumes oversight of the 693 NRC-licensed
users and, discounting for the facilities carrying two separate licenses from
the state and federal government, Pennsylvania will now license and regulate
911 total license holders.

Pennsylvania will manage the licensing and regulation efforts using highly
trained radiological health physicists within the Department of Environmental
Protection's Bureau of Radiation Protection. Many of these employees have
been licensing, inspecting and regulating the radioactive materials licensees
now under state jurisdiction, including all the medical and industrial
facilities that use x-ray generating machines.

Pennsylvania was directed to enter into an agreement with the federal
government to regulate radioactive materials by the state's Radiation
Protection Act, or Act 147 of 1984.

Information on the agreement is available by contacting DEP's Bureau of
Radiation Protection at 717-787-2480, or by visiting www.depweb.state.pa.us,
keyword: Radiation Protection.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses.To find out more
about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter,
visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:
Chuck Ardo
717-783-1116

Neil Weaver (DEP)
717-787-1323

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Chuck Ardo of the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116, or
Neil Weaver of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection,
+1-717-787-1323