Nuclear Waste:  U.S. Energy Department Could Further Improve Security of Spent-Fuel Shipments, GAO Says

By Mike Nartker
Global Security Newswire

WASHINGTON — While studies indicate that the transportation of spent nuclear fuel is generally safe, the U.S. Energy Department can do more to further reduce the risk of an accidental release, either through a transportation accident or intentional attack, according to a U.S. General Accounting Office report released yesterday (see GSN, July 29).

Currently, there are more than 50,000 tons of spent fuel stored at more than 70 sites located at, or near, nuclear power plants in 33 states.  This spent fuel is to be shipped to a long-term nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain in Nevada, which the Energy Department plans to have constructed and operational by 2010.  The department has estimated that it will require 175 shipments annually for 23 years by both road and rail to move the 50,000 tons to the Yucca repository, according to the report.

Studies conducted by the Energy Department and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission indicate a low risk of public harm from an transportation accident or terrorist attack on a spent-fuel shipment, the report says.  The spent fuel itself is neither explosive nor volatile and it cannot be easily dispersed to contaminate an area with radiation.  In addition, the casks used to transport the spent fuel have been found to allow little release of material if penetrated.

Some experts, however, have argued that the release of spent fuel could put the public at risk.  During the congressional debate last year over whether to approve the construction of the Yucca Mountain repository, Nevada officials, who strenuously oppose the project, warned that studies conducted on their behalf indicated that a successful attack on a spent fuel shipment could result in latent cancer deaths in the surrounding population (see GSN, May 24, 2002).

Congressional auditors found that while spent-fuel shipments may be relatively safe, the Energy Department could do more to further improve security, according to the report.  For example, Energy could choose to reduce the overall number of spent-fuel shipments by moving more of the material per shipment, the report says.  The department is required under contract with the spent fuel owners, mostly nuclear power plants, to transport spent fuel to a repository based on when the fuel was removed from a nuclear reactor.  If Energy maintained that schedule for the 12 largest nuclear plants, more than 575 shipments would be needed.  If Energy was allowed to move larger quantities of spent fuel from each site, however, about 300 shipments could be eliminated, according to the report.

Energy could also improve the security of spent-fuel shipments by transporting older stockpiles first since they are less radioactive, the report says.  Spent-fuel owners, however, have the authority to determine which material will be transported to a repository, which could result in owners choosing to move more radioactive material out of wet storage pools to free up additional storage space, it adds.

Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas), who requested the report, said the GAO’s findings helps to dispel security concerns raised by Yucca Mountain opponents, who he said wanted to shut down the nuclear power industry.

“Spent nuclear fuel belongs at Yucca Mountain when that facility is licensed,” Barton said yesterday in a press statement.  “Opponents of nuclear power exploited fears of terrorist activity and said waste should not be moved off-site.  Not only is that a backdoor way to try and stop nuclear power, but that argument is also wrong, as this GAO report indicates,” he said.

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Food Safety:  U.S. Border Inspectors to Receive Increased Training

Beginning this fall, all U.S. border inspectors will receive training in detecting signs of agricultural terrorism, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert Bonner said yesterday (see GSN, July 31).

Currently, only 2,000 out of 18,000 border inspectors are trained to look for suspicious crops or livestock, Bonner said.  In October, however, training for all new inspectors will include agricultural issues, including agricultural terrorism, according to the Associated Press.

“We’re very much committed to protecting American agriculture,” Bonner said, “but we can be more effective” (Gene Johnson, Associated Press/Tacoma News Tribune, Aug. 13).

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