TRANSPORTATION OF HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES RAISES QUESTIONS AND FEARS

April 18, 2007, Naperville, IL

The federal government’s Department of Energy (DOE) is considering the transport of highly radioactive weapons-grade plutonium fuel rods from nuclear reactors across the nation, by truck and by rail, on our expressways, highways, and city streets, to Argonne and Morris, for reprocessing and storage. This program is part of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership ("GNEP").

Municipal governing bodies and residents of the west and southwest suburbs of metropolitan Chicago will be looking for answers to questions about the transport, handling, reprocessing and storage of radioactive fuel through heavily populated areas. DOE confirmed their mandate to select the most direct routes for transport of highly radioactive waste. Population density is not a factor. The routes under consideration are I-88, I-80, I-294 and I-74.

Argonne has submitted a bid to secure a lucrative contract as the sole laboratory for the project’s research and development.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) admits that, “It is not possible to eliminate all radiation with shielding” (Safety of Spent Fuel Transportation, NRC, pg 4) and that people in close proximity to the transport containers will be exposed to radiation.

Dave Kraft, Director of the Nuclear Energy Information Service (NEIS) and Brian Quirke from DOE will be speaking about safety issues related to the transportation of nuclear waste through our communities at a Community Meeting on Friday, April 20, at the Nichols Library, 200 West Jefferson Ave, Naperville, from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm. For additional information contact Kathy Gere at 707-364-2833 or by E-mail nwastecc (at) hotmail.com