National Academies advisory: Safety of transporting spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste

If the U.S. Department of Energy opens a proposed repository for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, radioactive materials would be shipped there from over 70 sites in 31 states, and most of these shipments would likely pass through or near a major metropolitan area.

Going the distance? The safe transport of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste in the United States, new from the National Academies' National Research Council and Transportation Research Board, examines the risks involved in shipping large quantities of these materials and recommends ways to reduce and manage these risks. It also looks at how DOE currently selects routes for transporting spent fuel from its research reactors. The report will be released at a one-hour telephone news conference.

Details:
Thursday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. EST. Reporters can obtain copies or register to participate in the conference call by contacting the Office of News and Public Information at tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail news@nas.edu Advance copies will be available to reporters only starting at 2 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Feb. 8. The report is embargoed and not for public release before 2 p.m. est on Feb. 9.

Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 21 Feb 2009
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