Common Defense Duties
Indiana could take over oversight of 213 radioactive licenses
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is taking comments on a proposed agreement that would shift some radioactive-material oversight to Indiana. Federal authority would still cover security, restricted data and common defense duties, and comments are due June 15, 2026.
A Nuclear Regulatory Commission notice would move oversight of 213 licenses from Washington to Indiana if the agreement is approved. Federal safeguards would stay in place for security, restricted data and common defense, and the public comment deadline is June 15, 2026.
- Indiana could take over oversight of 213 licenses.
- Federal safeguards for security and restricted data would stay in place.
- The NRC is taking public comments through June 15, 2026.
- For Indiana facilities handling certain radioactive materials, the change would be who they answer to
- Active NRC licenses would continue as Indiana licenses until they expire or are replaced, so the shift would start as an oversight change, not a reset of day-to-day operations
If approved, a proposed NRC agreement would let Indiana oversee 213 radioactive-material licenses now handled by the federal government. The state would take over routine licensing duties, while the NRC would keep control of security, restricted data and common-defense issues.
Active NRC licenses would continue as Indiana licenses until they expire or are replaced, so the shift would start as an oversight change, not a reset of day-to-day operations. The notice is also a request for comment, with a June 15, 2026 deadline.
The federal backstop
The proposed deal would move oversight for 213 licenses from the NRC to Indiana. Federal authority would still remain in place for safeguarding special nuclear material, protecting restricted data and protecting common defense and security.
The gaps the staff flagged
NRC staff said Indiana’s program is adequate to protect public health and safety and compatible with the federal program, but it also identified limited, section-specific inconsistencies in the state’s regulations. State officials have said they will address those in the next rulemaking.