EPA's current Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Nuclear Power Operations date back to 1977. They were issued to limit radiation releases and public exposure resulting from the normal operation of nuclear power plants and facilities involved in the milling, conversion, fabrication, use and reprocessing of uranium fuel for power generation. Though they remain in use, they are based on nuclear power technology and the understanding of radiation biology that was current 37 years ago.The agency is now seeking public comments as it moves to update these standards. Comments are being accepted between now and June 4, 2014 at www.regulations.gov.
EPA is providing stakeholders with more information through fact sheets on the advance notice of proposed rulemaking, the current standards, and the uranium fuel cycle. EPA will also host a series of webinars to discuss the input the agency hopes to receive in response to its advance notice of proposed rulemaking.