HLRWC Policy Papers
Since the beginning of nuclear power generation in the United States, there has been the assumption and expectation that at some point in time, spent nuclear fuel (SNF) would be transported from the reactors to a final disposal site. Throughout this time, it has been clear to Western states that other regions of the country fully expect a SNF disposal facility to be located in the West. The federal government has generally seemed to endorse that premise. However, the vast majority of commercial SNF is generated east of the Mississippi River. Because of this, transporting the SNF to a Western site would likely place disproportionate transportation impacts upon the Western and corridor states. Recognizing these potential impacts, Western states, through the Western Interstate Energy Board’s High-Level Radioactive Waste Committee, have engaged with DOE since the 1980s to develop an acceptable transportation program for SNF and high-level radioactive waste (HLW). As a result of its previous and current interactions with DOE, the High-Level Radioactive Waste Committee has collectively developed and agreed to a number of major policy positions related to SNF and HLW transport. These policies have been presented to the WIEB Board, and have been approved. These policy papers are:
- The “WIPP Transportation Model” and Its Application to SNF/HLW Transport | [pdf]
- Physical Protection Requirements for SNF Transport | [pdf]
- Ship Oldest Fuel First | [pdf]
- Rail Route Safety: Track, Grade Crossings, Bridges, and Switches | [pdf]
- Rail Shipment Inspection | [pdf]
- Social Risk [pdf]
- Full-Scale Cask Testing [pdf]
- Origin Site Transportation Coordination [pdf]
- Funding for State and Local Development and Implementation of a Transportation System [pdf]
- Transportation Responsibilities Non-Delegable to Private Entities [pdf]