Assistance for the States : States have the primary responsibility for protecting the public in their jurisdictions. The Midwestern states can develop their own plans and procedures for responding to an incident involving radioactive material shipments. In most instances, these plans should be part of overall emergency response plans covering all types of hazards. In addition to emergency response plans, the Midwestern states are also responsible for ensuring the safety of the public during routine transportation. Activities related to the safe, routine transportation of radioactive material include inspections, escorts, satellite tracking, contingency route designation, public information activities, and other operational activities. These activities contribute to shipment safety and increase the likelihood of public acceptance. Because shipments translate into real costs for the states, shippers should anticipate that some states could have financial assistance needs in connection with their shipments. Cooperation with the states is crucial for the safe and efficient transport of spent nuclear fuel regardless of the shipper. It is the recommendation of the Midwestern States that private shipments of spent nuclear fuel be handled in a manner similar to those conducted by DOE. Private shippers should cooperate with the states on the routing of the shipments. Private shippers should also provide financial and technical assistance to the states for emergency planning, training, and equipment. Under Section 16 of the WIPP Land Withdrawal Act, DOE is obligated to provide funding and technical assistance to corridor states to support accident prevention and emergency preparedness in connection with shipments to WIPP. In addition to providing such assistance for training and equipment, Section 16 also required DOE to provide “in-kind, financial, technical, and other appropriate assistance” to affected states for transportation safety programs that are specific to WIPP. The Midwestern states believe that, as a matter of policy, all of DOE’s shipments of transuranic waste should be treated as “WIPP
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