**GAO-08-403**                      Published: Jan 31, 2008. Publicly Released: Feb 12, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

There are 37 research reactors in the United States, mostly located on college campuses. Of these, 33 reactors are licensed and regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Four are operated by the Department of Energy (DOE) and are located at three national laboratories. Although less powerful than commercial nuclear power reactors, research reactors may still be attractive targets for terrorists. As requested, GAO examined the (1) basis on which DOE and NRC established the security and emergency response requirements for DOE and NRC-licensed research reactors and (2) progress that the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has made in converting U.S. research reactors that use highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel. This report summarizes the findings of GAO's classified report on the security of research reactors (GAO-08-156C).

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## Topics

Homeland Security

Emergency responseEmergency response plansEmergency response proceduresEnergy conversionHazardous materials emergency responseLicensesNuclear facilitiesNuclear facility securityNuclear materialsNuclear reactorsPhysical securityRadioactive materialsRegulatory agenciesResearch programsRisk assessmentRisk managementSecurity regulationsSecurity threatsStrategic planningTerrorismTerroristsUraniumPolicies and procedures