In August of 2006, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) wrote to the Governor to inquire if Michigan would be interested in assuming greater authority to regulate radioactive materials through an Agreement between Michigan and the NRC. Governor Granholm's response was that an earlier stakeholders workgroup "generally supported the idea of Michigan pursuing an Agreement, conditioned on the consolidation of the state's radiation programs into one agency. This organizational change, along with pursuit of an Agreement with the NRC, would have the beneficial effect of consolidating the regulatory authority over radioactive materials and machine ionizing radiation sources within one regulatory agency."

Currently the federal NRC licenses most radioactive materials. The state registers naturally-occurring and accelerator-produced radioactive materials in the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Radiation machines (x-ray machines) are registered by the state within the Department of Community Health (DCH). Some radiation users in Michigan have to deal separately with all 3 agencies.

The Governor's letter to the NRC said Michigan would seek the concurrence of stakeholders and then make a decision on whether to proceed with the development of an Agreement. On March 2, 2007, a meeting was held with some NRC licensees and other stakeholders. At this meeting the DEQ and DCH presented the case for Michigan becoming an Agreement State and solicited comments and support from the attendees. Some of the handout materials and the summary of that meeting are presented below.

Governor Granholm's letter to the NRC dated October 5, 2006
Report and Recommendations to Governor July 13, 2007
Governor Granholm's Letter of Intent to the NRC dated July 31, 2007

PowerPoint slide show Consideration of Michigan Pursuing an NRC Agreement - A Discussion with Stakeholders March 2, 2007 . Presented by Thor Strong, Chief, Radiological Protection Section (DEQ) and Sheri Minnick, Regional Government Liaison Office, Region 3 (NRC).

A Meeting with Licensees and other Stakeholders - March 2, 2007 - Meeting Summary
Informational Meeting with Stakeholders - August 8, 2007 - Meeting Summary

Key Questions and Issues Concerning Pursuit of an NRC Agreement for Michigan

Strategy for Developing an Agreement State Program
See the PowerPoint slide show Consideration of Michigan Pursuing an NRC Agreement - A Discussion with Stakeholders August 8, 2007 presented by Thor Strong, Chief, Radiological Protection Section (DEQ).

Funding a Michigan Agreement State Program
The NRC provides no funding for the state to develop its Agreement State program. In order to hire and train the additional staff for the program a four-year interim fee on licensees and registrants is being proposed. Once Michigan becomes an Agreement State, annual license fees paid to the state program will be substantially less than NRC fees. Our own estimates, and the experience of other states that have taken this approach, indicate that most licensees will recoup their interim fees in four years, with substantial savings being enjoyed beyond that point.

Agreement State Advisory Committee Meetings
May 6, 2009 - Meeting Summary
October 2, 2008 - Meeting Summary
May 28, 2008 - Meeting Summary
August 8, 2007 - Meeting Summary
June 13, 2007 - Meeting Summary
April 18, 2007 - Meeting Summary
March 16, 2007 - Meeting Summary

Past Actions
NRC assigns Project Manager for the Michigan Agreement - June 12, 2008
Status Report to NRC - April 30, 2008
Letter to NRC licensees dated May 4, 2007
Letter to NARM registrants dated May 4, 2007
NRC Agreement State Stakeholders Workgroup Meeting Summary - December 14, 2005
Responses Summary of Agreement State Licensees - March 31, 2005
Summary of State Regulators Survey Responses - March 31, 2005
NRC Agreement State Stakeholders Workgroup Meeting Summary - March 31, 2005
NRC Agreement State Stakeholders Workgroup Meeting Summary - January 26, 2005
The Future Direction of Michigan's Regulatory Program for Radioactive Materials - October 2004

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Last Update 5/28/2009