Nuclear energy regulation

Before returning to a more specific discussion about the alignment of our energy R D with our policies and regulations, I would like to first examine three drivers that are shaping die real world for nuclear energy in the 21st century ... 

One view is that nuclear energy is expensive, damages the environment and is harmful to human health and when the cost of construction and dealing with regulations and nuclear waste is included nuclear power... 

Week 8 Nuclear energy Federal nuclear regulations... 

This is directly apparent when taking into account the phase-out of nuclear energy in Germany. The associated effects were considered both when establishing the cap and also when determining the allocation regulations. 

Currently, nuclear energy serves as the second largest source (behind coal) of electrical power in the United States. Nuclear sources are inherently clean, but significant risks and therefore governmental regulations apply to the waste disposal methods. 

Most disposal of radioactive waste was performed in accordance with national or international regulations. Since 1967 the disposals in the northeast Atlantic were for the most part conducted in accordance with a consultative mechanism of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development/Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA). 

CONTROL OF THE USE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY TO ENSURE NPP SAFETY AND GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF NPP SAFETY... 

NRC protects the public health and safety and the environment by licensing and regulating the use of nuclear energy. It also develops and enforces regulations concerning nuclear safety and it inspects licensed activities, sponsors research, and publishes reports related to its mission. 

There is a potential future need for small reactors for applications such as district heating, electricity production at remote locations and desalination. Nuclear energy can provide an environmentally benign alternative to meet these needs. For successful deployment, small reactors must satisfy the requirements of users, regulators and the general public. 

Radiopharmaceuticals are regulated both as medicinal products and as radioactive substances. Therefore, both medicine quality regulations (GMP) and safety regulations (nuclear energy legislation) are applicable. Radiopharmaceuticals must be handled (often aseptically) as quickly as possible, with shielding, to avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation. 

The AEA of 1946 defined how the U.S. Government would regulate the use of the new nuclear technology. The development of nuclear weapons and atomic energy uses for the public were placed under civilian control as opposed to military control. The AEA of 1946 established the U.S. AEC that was chartered to develop and produce future atomic weapons and was also chartered to facilitate the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 

When ionizing radiation was discovered, it was not known that it could harm people, and many scientists and others who were exposed to the rays suffered forms of radiation sickness and cancer. The field of health physics, which is most concerned with the safety of radiation, began to develop in the early part of the twentieth century. By the 2000 s, the benefits and risks of radiation had come to be clearly understood by physicians, nuclear energy workers, and most of the public. Federal laws were created to regulate the use of ionizing radiation in medicine and other industries. 

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