Page 1 GAO-25-108097 NRC Priority Recommendations
Comptroller General
of the United States
May 5, 2025
The Honorable David A. Wright
Chairman
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, D.C. 20555-0001
Priority Open Recommendations: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Dear Chairman Wright:
Congratulations on your appointment. The purpose of this letter is to call your personal attention
to three areas based on GAO’s past work and nine open priority recommendations, which are
enclosed.
1
Additionally, there are 15 other GAO open recommendations that we will continue to
work with your staff to address.
We are highlighting the following areas that warrant your timely and focused attention.
Specifically:
Addressing the security of radiological sources. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) needs to take additional actions to enhance the security of radioactive materials while
also ensuring the protection of public health and safety. For example, americium-241, including
foreign-sourced material, is commonly used for medical, industrial, and research purposes, but
there is no disposal pathway for americium-241 from other countries. This situation leaves the
material vulnerable to loss, abandonment, and at risk of being stolen for use in a dirty bomb that
could result in billions of dollars in socioeconomic damage. We recommended that NRC, in
coordination with the Department of Energy, evaluate options and act to better secure
americium-241 when the origin is foreign.
Additionally, NRC needs to address vulnerabilities in its licensing and verification processes.
Specifically, we previously recommended that NRC add security features—such as multifactor
authentication—and requirements that vendors verify certain licenses with the appropriate
regulatory authority. Taking these actions would help make licenses less vulnerable to alteration
or forgery and provide NRC with greater confidence that only valid licenses were used to
purchase high-risk radioactive materials.
In September 2024, we found that continued resistance on the part of NRC to implementing our
recommendations in this area may warrant legislative action. We made two matters for
congressional consideration, suggesting Congress consider directing NRC to take certain
actions, such as verifying licenses with the regulator.
1
GAO considers a recommendation to be a priority if, when implemented, it may significantly improve government
operations, for example, by realizing large dollar savings; eliminating mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or making
progress toward addressing a high-risk or duplication issue.
