Transportation

The Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) manages the shipment of radioactive materials in accordance with U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) orders and U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations to assure the safety of workers and the public and to protect the environment.

Truck Transporting
Radioactive Materials NE ships radioactive materials both domestically and abroad. The mode of shipment depends on the type, radioactivity, and the weight of the packages. Small quantities are usually transported by air, while larger quantities are transported by truck. Transportation of fresh fuel elements for NE-managed nuclear reactors (High Flux Isotope Reactor, Advanced Test Reactor, Annular Core Research Reactor) and plutonium shipments for the Space and Defense Power Systems Program is carried out by the Transportation Safeguard System (TSS). TSS is managed by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

To address priority issues regarding NNSA's TSS, the Secure Transportation Asset Advisory Board was established, and the Office of Integrated Safety and Program Assurance NE-43) serves as a board member and a steering committee member. The board will meet quarterly to review integrated, consolidated secure transportation schedules and adjust prioritization criteria, if needed. The steering committee is to serve as a staff level analytical and coordinating body that supports the decision-making authority of the executive level board members.

In response to the current elevated threat environment, NE established a shipment review program to review, approve, and track radioactive material shipments on a case-by-case basis. The shipments include fresh nuclear fuel elements, spent nuclear fuel elements, fissile materials, and shipments that exceed the quantity for Type A packages as specified in Title 10 CFR Part 71. Prior to scheduled shipments, contractors and laboratories submit a shipment request form that includes pertinent information to the Director of NE or his designee. The status of all shipments of interest to NE are delineated in the Weekly Shipment Status Report provided to the NE Director, Deputy Directors, and appropriate Associate Directors. In order to ensure a timely response during an incident or emergency that occurs when the material shipments are in transit, NE has a direct access to DOE's Transportation Tracking Communication System, an internet-based real-time shipment tracking and communication system.