RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN GOVERNMENT POLICY TOWARD TRANSPORTATION OP NUCLEAR MATERIALS

In December 197^, the Atomic Energy Commission announced that it was planning to take over all shipments of Government-owned special nuclear material above trigger quantities. This paper discusses the significance of the nuclear industry of this and other cargo security decisions, The current situation regarding the refusal of the railroads to haul spent fuel except in special train service is reviewed. ERDA has approached the ICC for resolution of the problem and nuclear industry is gathering support. Many states are still attempting to enact local regulations on nuclear shipments, in spite of the preemptive clauses in several Federal acts. The growing problems of viability of the nuclear fuel cycle are reviewed with an eye toward transportation.