GAO report: Opportunities exist to strengthen security for ground transport of risk-significant radioactive materials

According to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, more actions are needed from federal agencies to strengthen transportation security for risk-significant radioactive materials during ground transport.

GAO was originally asked to review federal procedures over risk-significant radioactive materials ground transport over concerns they might be stolen by terrorists and used to create a “dirty bomb.” The report examined the steps that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have taken since Sept. 11, 2001 to strengthen security of those risk-significant radioactive sources.

The report cited NRC’s requirement for source licensees to ensure that motor carriers transporting radioactive sources have security measures, such as 24-hour monitoring, as a positive step in transportation security. The report also noted DOT’s updated regulations on security plans and DHS’s newly-established security standards for commercial drivers licensees as other positive steps.

While progress was made, GAO said that the NRC and DOT face challenges related to collecting data and ensuring compliance with NRC security requirements for ground transport. As an example, GAO noted that the NRC did not directly inspect whether motor carriers contracted by licensees have implemented the commission’s security requirements because its regulatory authority only extends to its licensees.

GAO also said DOT and state officials have regulatory authority over carriers, but their inspectors do not enforce compliance with NRC security requirements because the DOT does not have the appropriate authority to do so.

GAO recommended that NRC, in consultation with DOT and DHS, identify approaches to verify that carriers meet NRC requirements.