WASHINGTON, DC – The Environment and the Economy Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), today examined the design, logistics, and shipping of nuclear material. The transport of nuclear materials via rail, highway, or water happens on a daily basis and three million packages of radioactive materials are shipped annually throughout the country.

Members heard from a panel of witnesses on the importance of maintaining an open dialogue with state and regional stakeholders and how imperative it was for a definitive destination – be it an interim storage or geologic repository – to be determined for the shipment of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Witness testimony also highlighted the fact that we can and do have the capability to ship nuclear material safely.

Kelly Horn, Co-Chairman of the Midwestern Radioactive Materials Transportation Committee stressed the importance of state involvement in the logistical chain of shipping nuclear material alongside DOE’s role. Horn testified, “We are working cooperatively with DOE’s Nuclear Fuels Storage and Transportation Planning Project, and we’re making progress…. DOE must not only meet the standard set by the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) program but exceed those requirements by adopting reasonable measures that will minimize public risk and maximize public confidence in the transportation program.”

Christopher A. Kouts, Managing Partner at Kouts Consulting discussed how important it is to have a definitive destination for nuclear material shipments, “No amount of transportation planning can overcome the lack of a definitive destination for these shipments…. Over 30 years of experience tells me that the most certain path for the Nation to find an eventual destination for these materials is already in place and has been since 1982,” said Kouts.

Robert Quinn, Vice President of Cask and Container Technology, EnergySolutions and Chair of the U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council, Spent Fuel Transportation Task Force noted how the United States has effectively shipped nuclear material for decades, stating, “In more than 70 years of nuclear materials transport in the US and worldwide, no member of the public has ever been harmed from a radioactive release.”

Edward R. Hamberger, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Association of American Railroads expressed confidence in the railroad’s ability to transport spent nuclear fuel. “If policymakers determine that a single or several regional repositories for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) are in the public interest, the railroads will work with the relevant entities on all issues regarding the transportation of SNF to those repositories,” said Hamberger.

Chairman Shimkus concluded, “Congress and DOE must remain attentive to comprehensive issues associated with used fuel management policy. Today’s hearing reaffirmed the fact that engaging with state and local stakeholders to share information, identify routes, and train emergency responders is of utmost importance when formulating a long-term plan to transport nuclear material. It’s important to note that even if Congress authorized interim storage as the preferred public policy to store spent nuclear fuel – it would still take substantial efforts and considerable time to plan for transport. I hope DOE revisits previous recommendations and lays the foundation for a national campaign and identifies a path forward for permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel.”

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