News & Events
Transportation Safety Experts
Each of these experts, beyond supplying the ready-to-use quotes below concerning the transportation of used nuclear fuel, has agreed to field inquiries on this topic. Some of them consult professionally.
“The Kansas Highway Patrol is primarily responsible for the enforcement of laws regulating traffic upon our highways. An additional responsibility is that of public safety. Concerning the shipment of spent fuel, the Patrol has actively participated in the planning of both rail and roadway shipments. Numerous shipments have been made through Kansas the last few years, all without a safety-related incident. The Patrol is confident that the continued partnership with custodians, shippers and the emergency response community will allow us to continue this spotless record.”
“The Kansas Highway Patrol is primarily responsible for the enforcement of laws regulating traffic upon our highways. An additional responsibility is that of public safety. Concerning the shipment of spent fuel, the Patrol has actively participated in the planning of both rail and roadway shipments. Numerous shipments have been made through Kansas the last few years, all without a safety-related incident. The Patrol is confident that the continued partnership with custodians, shippers and the emergency response community will allow us to continue this spotless record.”
– Captain Timothy Lockett
Kansas Highway Patrol
Topeka, Kan.
Telephone: 785.296.6800
Kansas Highway Patrol
Topeka, Kan.
Telephone: 785.296.6800
“Spent nuclear fuel transportation is not a particularly new issue for the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety. During the past 18 years, we’ve inspected and escorted over 480 highway and rail shipments. Our port of entry inspections keep shippers and carriers on their toes, and our immediate on-scene presence – in the event of an accident – helps alleviate the concerns of local emergency responders.”
– Timothy Runyon
– Timothy Runyon
Chief, Division of Environmental Monitoring
Office of Environmental Safety
Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety
Springfield, Ill.
Telephone: 217.786.6365
E-mail: runyon@idns.state.il.us
Office of Environmental Safety
Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety
Springfield, Ill.
Telephone: 217.786.6365
E-mail: runyon@idns.state.il.us
“I live within a mile and a half of Interstate 70 in Missouri, which is a potential route for much of the nation’s spent nuclear fuel. So my interest in the safe transport of this material is more than strictly professional. I believe that the shipment of radioactive material is perfectly safe for three reasons:
- The stringent crash testing to which the shipping containers are subjected;
- The nearly 3,000 shipments of high level nuclear waste that have already taken place nationally – all without a single release of radioactive material; and
- The strict government and industry regulations that control the transport of spent nuclear fuel.”
– William H. Miller
Professor, Nuclear Engineering Program
E2433 Engineering Building East
University of Missouri
Columbia, Mo. 65211
Telephone: 573-882-9692
E-mail: MillerW@missouri.edu
Professor, Nuclear Engineering Program
E2433 Engineering Building East
University of Missouri
Columbia, Mo. 65211
Telephone: 573-882-9692
E-mail: MillerW@missouri.edu
"No radioactive material has ever been released in the U.S. from a used nuclear fuel shipping cask as a result of an in-transit accident, highway or railroad. Since 1971, there have been only eight accidents involving used fuel casks. In four of these incidents the casks were empty and none were damaged. Three of the remaining four accidents involved loaded casks but were minor in nature with no resultant cask damage. The fourth loaded cask accident was a 1971 highway overturn where the cask sustained modest damage. No leakage occurred. Following unloading the cask was refurbished and returned to service.
"Used fuel shipping casks are more ruggedly designed and constructed than any other hazardous material container. These massive, thick-walled containers with high strength bolted and gasketed lids are designed to sustain a severe accident – one involving impact, puncture, and fire – with no leakage. In addition, carriers are keenly aware of the nature of the materials being shipped, and safety is the overriding consideration in both loading and transporting. All involved personnel undergo rigorous hazardous material training, and physical security is required throughout the entire shipment. Public safety is not at risk from the shipment of used nuclear fuel."
"Used fuel shipping casks are more ruggedly designed and constructed than any other hazardous material container. These massive, thick-walled containers with high strength bolted and gasketed lids are designed to sustain a severe accident – one involving impact, puncture, and fire – with no leakage. In addition, carriers are keenly aware of the nature of the materials being shipped, and safety is the overriding consideration in both loading and transporting. All involved personnel undergo rigorous hazardous material training, and physical security is required throughout the entire shipment. Public safety is not at risk from the shipment of used nuclear fuel."
Viewpoints on Nuclear Energy
Key Issue: Nuclear Waste Disposal
Like other industrial facilities, nuclear power plants produce necessary byproducts. These include used nuclear fuel and less radioactive material like filters, tools and protective clothing.