'Safe havens' required for highway transport of radioactive materials
Under strict new security measures issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, nuclear facilities planning to transport radioactive materials along U.S. highways must identify potential “safe havens” along the route – such as military installations, police barracks, weigh stations or truck stops with secure areas – where, in an emergency, the transportation crews could wait safely for law enforcement authorities.
Such safe havens must be well lit and in close proximity to the planned route, have adequate parking and possess additional telephone facilities in case those on the transport vehicle aren’t functioning properly, say the licensing requirements issued by the NRC on Dec. 4.
Based on its review of security vulnerabilities at nuclear facilities nationwide and information it has received from the intelligence community, “the Commission has determined that certain security measures are required to be implemented by Licensees as prudent, interim measures to address the current threat environment in a consistent manner,” said the Federal Register announcement.
Under the new rules, licensees are required to:
· Use only trucking companies that have established a package tracking system, can maintain constant control or surveillance during transit and possess communications systems that would enable drivers to summon assistance immediately.
· Use only carriers that have implemented transportation security plans.
· Provide the NRC with seven days of advance notice of any planned shipment of radioactive materials which exceed threshold quantities.
· Provide a “telemetric position monitoring system” or a railroad “trackside car location monitoring system,” depending on whether the hazardous materials will move over highways or rails.
Nuclear licensees are required to implement the new safeguards by May 23, 2009 , or the date of their first planned shipment of radioactive materials, whichever comes sooner.
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