Western Governors, Energy Secretary Chu agree to safety measures for transporting nuclear materials (6//16/09)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact: Karen Deike (303) 623-9378 ext. 104

June 15, 2009

 

Western Governors, Energy Secretary Chu agree to safety measures for transporting nuclear materials

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.

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.

 

The Western Governors' Association is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 19 states and three U.S.-Flag islands in the Pacific. Through their Association, the Western governors identify and address key policy and governance issues in natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and public management.

# # # # #