Nuclear Unescorted Access Authorization Questions

[MadTownNuke]

Hi everyone,
    I'm new to this site and have been looking for information about my chances of obtaining an unescorted access authorization. Here's a little background to my situation.
    In November 2015 I accepted an internship opportunity in New York that required a government security clearance. It wasn't at a nuclear power plant, but it was with a government contracted company I believe. I am not sure what level, but I may be able to find the information if needed. I had filled out a 30 section form online through E-QIP that asked many questions and I told the truth throughout it.
    My blemishes that I expected were that I have gotten an underage drinking ticket my freshman year of college (September 2014) and I had used marijuana from August 2014 to November 2015 I estimated 10 times at the most, but I think I used it 6 times now that I think about it. In January, I received notification that the company that does the security clearance will not be processing my clearance at this time and the reason was "the use of marijuana within the past 12 months." It never said I was "denied" clearance, just that they won't process it at this time. If needed, I saved the paper and can give more information if it helps. Anyway, as a result, my internship offer was revoked.
    Now that I know that marijuana is a problem when working in the Nuclear industry, even for a college intern, I haven't used any marijuana since the last time I stated which was November 2015 and don't plan to ever again.
    I now have received an offer for an internship this summer at a power plant where I need to be granted "Nuclear Unescorted Access Authorization." I believe this is a different clearance than my New York attempt was. Will I be able to be granted this access or will my marijuana usage be a problem again? I have to respond within a week, so if anyone can help me that'd be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[johnnieslingshot]

What was the exact charge when you were arrested/cited for underage drinking?  What was the monetary penalty?  Were you between >18 and <21?   I am not an expert but I think the question on the initial PHQ askes:

Initial—Within the last five (5) years, or since your 18th BIRTHDAY (whichever is shorter), have you:
Update/Reinstatement—Since your last UA/UAA if favorably terminated within the past 3 years, have you: (Check Yes or No)
1. violated a licensee or employer's fitness‐for‐duty policy? Yes No
2.
been denied or had unescorted access authorization terminated unfavorably at any place of employment or
at any nuclear power plant for any reason including fitness for duty policy violation or been unfavorably
terminated from any employment for a fitness‐for‐duty reason?
Yes No
3. used, sold, or possessed illegal drugs? Yes No
4. abused legal drugs or alcohol? Yes No
5. ever subverted or attempted to subvert a drug or alcohol testing program? Yes No
6. refused to take a drug or alcohol test? Yes No
7. been subject to a plan (except self‐referral) for treating substance abuse? Yes No
8.
been subject to a law enforcement authority or court of law action for alcohol or drug use related to any of
the following:
(a) The use, sale or possession of illegal drugs? Yes No
(b) The abuse of legal drugs or alcohol? Yes No
(c) The refusal to take a drug or alcohol test? Yes No
9. been subject to employment action taken for alcohol or drug abuse involving any of the following:
(a) A change in job responsibilities or removal from a job? Yes No
(b) Mandated implementation of a plan for substance abuse treatment in order to avoid a change in or
removal from a job?
Yes No
10. Are you currently in a fitness‐for‐duty follow‐up testing program? Yes No

And you will also be asked these questions :

Initial—Since your 18th BIRTHDAY, have you:
Update/Reinstatement—Since your last UA/UAA if within 3 years, have you: (Check Yes or No)
1. Been held, detained, taken into custody, charged, arrested, indicted, fined, forfeited bond, cited, or convicted for a
violation of any law, regulation or ordinance (e.g., felony, misdemeanor, traffic or military criminal history, etc.) or do you
now have such a case pending? Yes No
2. Been charged, arrested or convicted of an alcohol or a controlled substance related offense, which includes: driving under
the influence / while intoxicated (DUI / DWI), or have such a case pending? Yes No
3. Been charged, arrested or convicted of an infraction of the law for which you were fined more than $200? Yes No
4. Failed to appear in court for any offense(s)? Yes No
5. Are you currently under indictment, on probation, parole, work release, or subject to any other control of a court (including
restraining orders, orders of protection)? Yes No

Once you answer these questions then the investigator who reviews the questionaire will notify security at the NPP and they will discuss your eligibility and whether or not to DENY you UAA.   Please bear in mind that a denial will usually ban you from UAA for at least 5 years.

I am sure that other good folks on this site will correct me if I have said anything wrong here so please wait for some of their replies before you make a decision.

Good luck with your endeavors.

[MadTownNuke]

     Thanks for the reply.

     Here's the official charge that is on my record "Underage Drinking-Possess-17-20 (1st). This is not a criminal offense and results only in a money penalty for this offense." I believe it was $270 total, but I did community service at a local WMCA to pay for half the ticket. I was 19 at the time.

     When I attempted for the government security clearance in November, they asked pretty similar questions to the ones you posted.

     I'm mainly wondering since my last attempt for security clearance was never put through due to using marijuana in the last 12 months if that is a rule for the UAA. If it is, then I will just wait until next summer to try for any internship that requires a UAA. I am not willing to risk being banned from UAA for 5 years, as I'm a sophomore and don't really watn to pursue a Master's degree right away.

[Ksheed]

My suggestion for you is to put some time between yourself and that "last time smoked" date you listed for marijuana. Four months is not a significant amount of time to give anyone a warm fuzzy about your trustworthiness.

(7) Criminal history review. The licensee's or applicant's reviewing official shall evaluate the entire criminal history record of an individual who is applying for unescorted access or unescorted access authorization to determine whether the individual has a record of criminal activity that may adversely impact his or her trustworthiness and reliability. A criminal history record must be obtained in accordance with the requirements of § 73.57. For individuals who do not have or are not expected to have unescorted access, a criminal history record of the individual shall be obtained in accordance with the requirements set forth in paragraph (k)(1)(ii) of this section.

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part073/part073-0056.html

[MadTownNuke]

Thanks for the reply ksheed12. I was thinking that same thing as you, as I'll always have next summer to land in internship. Then, I will have over a year of being "clean."

[MadTownNuke]

Does anyone else have an opinion on whether or not I'd be denied UAA? I don't want to risk being rejected if that's likely.

Thanks.

[Rerun]

For weed within a year? My opinion is yes. There are non druggies applying.

[MadTownNuke]

Rerun: What will my chances be like if I apply for UAA next summer? I'm assuming better, but good enough to obtain it?

[Ksheed]

Next summer won't be much better. My suggestion is to wait 2-3 years. Your best bet would be to try to get the number for Access Screening at the site you are hoping to get badged at and ask their opinion. They should be able to provide you with a more detailed answer then you would get on here.

[Rerun]

No idea and BTW they wont tell you

[MadTownNuke]

Thanks all for the responses. Means a lot.
     I tried to get information for the phone number of the access screening and rerun was right, they won't tell me until I'm actually in the process of obtaining that UAA. I am at the point where I think it's better to hold off on trying this summer, and probably even next summer. I guess my only option is to go to grad school and get my masters, since I can't get an internship at all before graduating in 2018.

     Anyone else have any suggestions?

[Ksheed]

No idea and BTW they wont tell you

They will if you know what and how to ask. I've done it more than once for guys I was considering bringing in. Also had a couple that called themselves and got the answers they were looking for.

[Rerun]

Ok they won't tell HIM. And yes I know how to ask.