Indiana could take over oversight of 213 radioactive licenses

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.