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	NRC NEWS U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
	Office of Public Affairs	Telephone: 301/415-8200
	Washington, DC 20555-001	E-mail: opa@nrc.gov

No. 97-175

November 25, 1997

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is revising its regulations to change five security requirements associated with internal threats at commercial nuclear power plants.

The action follows the NRC's reconsideration of nuclear power plant physical security requirements to identify parts of its requirements that are considered marginal to safety, redundant, or no longer effective. This change will reduce the regulatory burden on licensees without compromising physical protection against radiological sabotage required for public health and safety.

NRC's proposed rule, published in February, drew eight letters of comment from utilities and one from an industry group. All generally supported the rulemaking.

The final rule, which takes effect 45 days from the date of publication in an upcoming issue of the Federal Register, changes:

1. Search requirements for on-duty guards.

2. Requirements for escort of licensees' vehicles.

3. Control of contractor employee badges.

4. Maintenance of access lists for each vital area.

5. Key controls for vital areas.

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