Western Governors, Energy Secretary Chu Agree To Nuclear Waste Transport Safety Measures

June 14, 2009 -- PARK CITY, UTAH -- The Western Governors’ Association and U.S. Department of Energy signed a Memorandum of Agreement today that will enhance the safety and security of transporting nuclear waste from sites within and outside the Western region to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico.

The agreement was signed during the WGA’s Annual Meeting here by Gov. Brian Schweitzer, WGA’s new chairman; C.L. “Butch” Otter, incoming Vice Chairman; and Steven Chu, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy. It expands upon current efforts aimed at ensuring the safe and uneventful transportation of nuclear materials.

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“The transportation of all types of nuclear waste through Western states must be done safely and without disruption,” said Schweitzer. “Such shipments are a concern to residents in corridor states, and it’s important to not only maintain, but also expand upon the success we’ve had with more than 7,400 shipments to the WIPP site over the past 10 years.”

Secretary Chu said the Department of Energy agrees that federal and state cooperation is essential for success in all nuclear waste transportation campaigns.

“We are committed to working with the Western states on the safe transportation of radioactive waste. The states have a right to know what is being shipped and to have a voice in how those shipment routes are planned. This process has worked well for more than a decade, and we will continue to coordinate with the states under this agreement.”

Lessons learned from past shipments will greatly enhance safety efforts for future shipments, Schweitzer and Chu said. For example, the WIPP guide developed by states and the DOE defines the elements of a safe transportation program, including providing advance notice to the states, driver and carrier selection criteria, vehicle inspections, emergency preparedness, security and public involvement.

The MOA also calls on states and the DOE to continue their dialog and implementation of regional plans for shipping a number of radioactive materials, such as low level waste and spent fuel shipments that originate in or are destined for the West.

For more information, visit the WGA Web site at www.westgov.org.

Source: Idaho Governor