Regions of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

NRC regions and locations of nuclear reactors, 2008

Map of the NRC Regions

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has divided the US territory into four regions:^[1]

Tasks

These four regions oversee the operation of 104 power-producing reactors, and 36 non-power-producing reactors. This oversight is done on several levels, for example:

• Each power-producing reactor site has Resident Inspectors, who monitor day-to-day operations
• Numerous special inspection teams, with many different specialties, routinely conduct inspections at each site
• Whistleblower reports are investigated by the Office of Enforcement, specifically the Allegations branch^[6]

Former regions

The NRC previously had five regions. Region V was headquartered in Walnut Creek, California and was responsible for activities in the seven far-west states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The NRC decided in September 1993 to consolidate Regions IV and V into a single Region headquartered in Arlington, Texas.^[7] On April 4, 1994, NRC Region V was abolished, and the NRC Region IV office in Arlington, Texas was given expanded responsibilities to include the seven states formerly governed by Region V.^[8][9] The former NRC Region V office in Walnut Creek remained open as the redesignated Walnut Creek Field Office, supporting resident inspection activities at power plants in the Pacific states of Washington, Oregon and California^[8] until October 1, 1998, when the Walnut Creek Field Office was abolished to further reduce costs.^{[10][11][12][13]}

References