Management and Disposal of High-Level Nuclear Waste
Transportation concerns, continued...
"However, there are a number of social and institutional challenges to the
successful initial implementation of large-quantity shipping programs."
- National Academies of Sciences
The federal government has failed to adopt important recommendations for ensuring the safe
transport of these wastes, including those from the National Academies of Sciences, the
Western Governors' Association, the Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects, and the Blue Ribbon
Commission. Recommendations include:
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Conduct full-scale testing of actual types of casks to be used for transportation. (Videos of
crash tests promoted by proponents are scale models of out-dated casks.)
Update safety standards to include long-duration fire scenarios, measures to prevent such
incidents & surveys of routes to identify such potential long-duration hazards.
Develop a comprehensive transportation plan and criteria for route selection.
Conduct a thorough review of the risks of sabotage and terrorism along routes and ensure
adequate safeguards are in place.
Provide technical assistance and funding to states for a tracking system, enhanced
emergency response, shipment escorts, and inspections.
A recent government report notes several other problems with transportation, including the
safety of transporting high burn-up spent nuclear fuel, "hot" waste that does not meet the
safety criteria for transportation, and inadequate transportation infrastructure for heavy rail car
casks.
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