High-Level Nuclear Waste Transportation:
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has prepared three analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) associated with the proposed disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste in a geologic repository at the Yucca Mountain Site in Nye County, Nevada. The first analysis:
- Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada (DOE/EIS-0250F-S1) (Repository SEIS), evaluates the potential environmental impacts of constructing and operating the Yucca Mountain Repository under the proposed repository design and operational plans.
- It supplements the Final Environmental Impact Statement for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada (DOE/EIS-0250F) (Yucca Mountain FEIS) prepared by the Department in 2002.
The second and third analyses are set forth in the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada:Nevada Rail Transportation Corridor (DOE/EIS-0250F-S2) (Nevada Rail Corridor SEIS) , and the Final Environmental Impact Statement for a Rail Alignment for the Construction and Operation of a Railroad in Nevada to a Geologic Repository at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada (DOE/EIS-0369) (Rail Alignment EIS). These analyses evaluate the potential environmental impacts of constructing and operating a railroad for shipments of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from an existing rail line in Nevada to the repository at Yucca Mountain, in order to help the Department decide whether to construct and operate a railroad, and if so, within which corridor and along which alignment. Because both the Nevada Rail Corridor SEIS and the Rail Alignment EIS address potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed construction and operation of a railroad, they are bound together in one document for the convenience of the reader.
The Nevada Rail Corridor SEIS (DOE/EIS-0250F-S2) analyzes the potential impacts of constructing and operating a railroad to connect the Yucca Mountain repository site to an existing rail line near Wabuska, Nevada (in the Mina rail corridor). The Nevada Rail Corridor SEIS analyzes the Mina rail corridor at a level of detail commensurate with that of the rail corridors analyzed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada (DOE/EIS-0250F). The Nevada Rail Corridor SEIS also updates relevant information regarding other rail corridors previously analyzed in the Yucca Mountain FEIS (Carlin, Jean, and Valley Modified) to identify any significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns.
The Rail Alignment EIS (DOE/EIS-0369) analyzes the potential impacts of railroad construction and operation along common segments and alternative segments within the Caliente (selected in a previous Record of Decision, 69 Federal Register 18557) and Mina rail corridors for the purpose of determining an alignment for the construction and operation of a railroad for shipments of spent nuclear fuel, high-level radioactive waste, and materials from an existing rail line in Nevada to a geologic repository at Yucca Mountain. The Rail Alignment EIS also analyzes the potential impacts of constructing and operating support facilities.Further Information:
- DOE Says it will Use Rail for Transportation to Yucca Mountain Repository; Selects Proposed Caliente Corridor as Nevada Route [pdf]
- Supplement Analysis for Transportation [pdf]
- Caliente Corridor Land Use and Ownership [Map] [pdf]
Nevada Potential Corridors:
The Nevada Rail Corridor SEIS analyzes the potential impacts of constructing and operating a railroad to connect the Yucca Mountain repository site to an existing rail line near Wabuska, Nevada (in the Mina rail corridor). The Nevada Rail Corridor SEIS analyzes the Mina rail corridor at a level of detail commensurate with that of the rail corridors analyzed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada (DOE/EIS-0250F). The Nevada Rail Corridor SEIS also updates relevant information regarding other rail corridors previously analyzed in the Yucca Mountain FEIS (Carlin, Jean, and Valley Modified) to identify any significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns.
The Mineral County Assessment of current capabilities and resources of Hawthorne Army Ammunition Depot's (HWAD) fire and emergency services anaylizes and assesses these services particularly as they relate to the proposed Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository and any potential shipments of high-level nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel through Mineral County and provides current (2004) emergency readiness for response to a transportation incident involving radioactive materials.
Currently the Caliente Corridor is the DOE's preferred route.
If DOE sele cted the Caliente Route this map shows the representative rail and truck transportation routes.
If DOE selected the Mina Route this map shows the representative rail and truck transportation routes.
Caleinte Rail Corridor - Since the 1996 release by DOE of its first environmental assessment of the Yucca Mountain project, the mainline Union Pacific (UP) rail line through Lincoln County and the City of Caliente has been viewed by the federal government as a likely corridor along which shipments of nuclear waste would move through Nevada to the Nevada test site. (see the Record of Decision and the Federal Register notice). If the repository is licensed, shipments could begin as early as 2010. More recently, DOE's Transportation Study 2, identifies the UP mainline, a rail to truck cask transfer facility at Caliente, and a heavy-haul truck route across Lincoln County. Interactive Google Caliente Route Map
The Department of Energy has set $3.155 billion as the latest price tag to run rail about 319 miles from Caliente in Eastern Nevada to the Yucca site in Nye County. A previous cost estimate, disclosed in December 2005, was $2 billion. Yucca rail estimated at more than $3b
The numbers underscore the growing cost of the proposed Nevada nuclear waste complex, and the likely challenges facing the Energy Department to secure funding from Congress for the undertaking.
- Did You Know: Frequently Asked Questions about Spent Nuclear Fuel Transportation
- View Video: Safe Passage: An Overview of Plans for the Railroad to Yucca Mountain
(Broadband 8MB)
- High-resolution Caliente corridor [pdf - 6mb, be patient]
- High-resolution Mina corridor [pdf - 11mb, be patient]
- Mina Rail Route Feasibility Study, Appendix B (maps package) [pdf, 27mb, be patient]
Below are links to the two DOE maps that are referenced in the Notice of Intent for the Caliente Rail Line EIS. To expand the maps, put your cursor on the lower right-hand corner of the map and click on the square icon that comes up:
A safe, dependable transportation system is a crucial component in the operation of a permanent geologic repository for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982(NWPA) requires the U.S. Department of Energy transport the spent fuel from the reactor sites to the repository.
In accordance with the transportation provisions of the NWPA, the DOE will transport under contract the delivery of commercial spent nuclear fuel.
Supplemental Rail Corridor and Rail Alignment Environmental Impact Statements (very large file at 122 MB)
Scoping meetings were held across the State of Nevada and the Summary of public comments, May 2007 [pdf] can be viewed here (leaving Mineral's web site). Click here for the public scoping comments taken at the Hawthorne, Nevada convention center in November, of 2007.
Besides the map at the right, instructions to view the Nevada rail corridors by using Google Earth can be seen by clicking here.
How to use Google Earth® to view the rail corridors
What is Section 180c and how might it affect you?
Section 180(c) of the NWPA requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance and funds to States for training of public safety officials of appropriate units of local governments and Native American Tribes through whose jurisdictions the Secretary plans to transport spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste.
Under Section 180(c) of the NWPA, DOE shall provide technical and financial assistance for training of local public safety officials to States and Indian Tribes through whose jurisdictions the DOE plans to transport spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste to a facility authorized under Subtitle A or C of the NWPA (NWPA-authorized facility). The training is to cover both safe routine transportation and emergency response procedures. The DOE published a notice of revised proposed policy to set forth its revised plans for implementing Section 180(c) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (the NWPA) with a deadline for stakeholders to comment ending in October, 2007. Prior Public Comments on Section 180c from 1998 (DOE Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste web site)
To access the index of Public Comments in Response to the revised DOE plans to implement 180(c) Notice of Revised Proposed Policy and Procedures for Safe Transportation and Emergency Response Training for year 2007 and 2008 please click here.
To access the Mineral County Board of County Commissioners comments to Section 180c please click here.
Radioactive Waste Casks
The schematic on the right shows an example of a radioactive waste cask mounted on a frame for transporting. Click here for a diagram of a typical spent fuel tranportation cask (pdf).
This DOE document provides specifications for selected system components of the Transportation, Aging and Disposal (TAD) canister-based system. Transportation, Aging and Disposal Canister System Performance
Specification (large PDF file 13.8 MB)Transportation Information
Surface Transportation Board
The STB is an economic regulatory agency that Congress charged with the fundamental missions of resolving railroad rate and service disputes and reviewing proposed railroad mergers. The STB is decisionally independent, although it is administratively affiliated with the U.S. Department of Transportation. It was created in the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995 and is the successor agency to the Interstate Commerce Commission.
The agency has jurisdiction over railroad rate and service issues and rail restructuring transactions (mergers, line sales, line construction, and line abandonments); certain trucking company, moving van, and non-contiguous ocean shipping company rate matters; certain intercity passenger bus company structure, financial, and operational matters; and rates and services of certain pipelines not regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Surface Transpotation Boards home website -
On March 17, 2008 the U.S. Department of Energy filed an application for authority to build and operate an approximately 300-mile railroad line in Nevada. In connection with this proposed transaction, the STB has developed a fact sheet explaining the STB’s procedures for evaluating the proposal, and providing jurisdictional and other background information. To see the STB’s fact sheet, click here.
Types of Waste Casks
Conceptual 3D image of the remote-controlled transport and emplacement vehicle (TEV) placing a waste package in an emplacement tunnel.
Cutaway image of a repository emplacement tunnel.
Transporation External Coordination Working Group - This link will take you to The Rail Topic Group section of the TEC website. They have the responsibility to identify and discuss current issues and concerns regarding rail transportation of radioactive materials by the Department of Energy (DOE). The group’s current task is to examine different aspects of rail transportation including inspections, tracking and radiation monitoring, planning and process, and review of lessons learned. Ultimately, the main goal for members will be to assist in the identification of potential rail routes for shipments to Yucca Mountain, in a manner that will contribute to a safe, dynamic, and flexible transportation system. The identification of potential routes from reactor sites and DOE facilities will serve as an important first step in transportation planning, examining alternative routes, and getting feedback from stakeholders
Current DOT guidance for high-level waste shipments require a shipper to use the interstate system to the nearest U.S. highway. The state of Nevada has not designated an alternate route. A likely candidate for a designated truck route would be U.S. 93 and Highway 6 through Ely. In the event that such a route is designated, waste shipments entering at Reno and McDermit, Nevada would travel the parts of Interstate 80 and enter the designated highway corridor at Wells, Nevada. For most western generators, U.S. 95 south through Hawthorne is more consistent with DOT routing guidelines.
On March 17, 2008 the U.S. Department of Energy filed an application for authority to build and operate an approximately 300-mile railroad line in Nevada. In connection with this proposed transaction, the STB has developed a fact sheet explaining the STB’s procedures for evaluating the proposal, and providing jurisdictional and other background information. To see the STB’s fact sheet, click here.
Radioactive waste casks loaded onto truck trailer
As required by the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA), the shipping containers used to transport the spent nuclear fuel will be certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. These shipping containers are designed to maintain their integrity under normal transportation and accident conditions and must provide protection against radiological release to the environment. All shipments will be made in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation and NRC regulations. Source: NRC
View Video: Safe Passage: An Overview of Plans for the Railroad to Yucca Mountain
(Broadband 8MB)
Watch a video of an Air Force engineering test of a concrete barrier, that was to surround nuclear reactor domes, to see if it would indeed survive an aerial attack.
Click here for a Map depicting the proposed Chalk Mountain Heavy Haul Route.
Click here for a on line videos of Transportation Cask Tests Spent Nuclear Fuel Transportation
Casks on trucks
State of Nevada Views on the Proposed Caliente Rail Corridor Presentation to U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board Caliente, NV
Fact Sheet: Transportation of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste to a Repository (Prepared By State of Nevada, Nuclear Waste Project Office)
Will Nuclear Waste Travel Through Your State? (Prepared By State of Nevada, Nuclear Waste Project Office)
Inspecting radioactive casks which have been loaded onto a flat bed truck. DOE has stated they prefer rail line transporation of high-level nuclear waste over trransporation it by highway. Read Mineral County's Impact Report.
DOE offer's transportation brochures
State of Nevada Nuclear Waste Transportation Web page
National Map of Waste Locations
Counties Affected by Truck Transportation to Yucca Mountain
Highway, Rail and Barge Routes to Yucca Mountain
Nuclear Energy Institute brochure: Experience, Testing Confirm Transportation Of Used Nuclear Fuel Is Safe, Reliable
State of Nevada, Agency for Nuclear Waste Projects - point of view from Governor Kenny Guinn
Testimony by Marvin esnikoff, Ph.D., Radioactive Waste Management Associates
STATE OF NEVADA’S MOTION TO REJECT DOE’s APPLICATION,
or alternatively, TO REQUIRE RESPONSIVE COMMENTS ONLY AFTER
APPLICATION HAS BEEN FULLY COMPLETED BY PROPER SUPPLEMENT to the Surface Transporation Board
Nevada study shows Yucca Mountain Project will cost much more than storing nuclear waste at existing reactor sites
Which was the first country to test a nuclear weapon? How many warheads does Russia have? Who's part of the elite nuclear club? For answers to these and other questions, check out interactive maps. Provided by CNN.com.
National Map of Waste Locations
Nuclear Materials Transportation:
Regulations, Guidance, & Communications
Issuance of Regulatory Guide 7.9
Issuance of Regulatory Guide 7.10
| Rail Corridor Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement |
| Mode & Corridor Decision Information |
| Transportation Information |
| Fact Sheets |
Transportation Brochures
DOE the making of an underground labratory - video
The Path Forward: A National Repository at Yucca Mountain [pdf]
Spent Nuclear Fuel Transporation [pdf]
Transportation of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste to Yucca Mountain
