One limitation of Section 180(c) funding is that it is applicable only to spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste shipments to a federal facility authorized under the NWPA. The risks associated with shipments of spent nuclear fuel are similar regardless of the shipper or the destination. As a result, the states believe they should receive financial and technical assistance similar to that intended under Section 180(c) for all shipments of spent nuclear fuel to DOE or private facilities. Another limitation of Section 180(c) funding is that the language in the law specifies funding is to be used for “technical assistance” and “training for public safety officials.”The Midwestern states feel that funding should also be provided for operational expenses. The Midwestern states recognize that operational activities including inspections, escorts, and tracking contribute to safe routine transportation and enhance public acceptance of shipments. Inspections The Midwestern states recognize the value of standardized inspection procedures that can promote reciprocity between state inspections. For truck shipments, the CVSA established its Level VI inspection procedures for shipments of transuranic and HRCQ radioactive material. An equivalent system does not yet exist for rail shipments. However, the DOE is developing a “draft Railcar Safety Inspection Protocol” in conjunction with the NTSF Spent Nuclear Fuel Rail/Routing Ad Hoc Working Group. Point of Origin: Shipments should be inspected by qualified state inspectors prior to departure. A radiological inspection of the package should be part of all point-of-origin inspections. For truck shipments, CVSA Level VI-certified state and federal inspectors will adhere to the CVSA Level VI inspection procedures and other applicable state procedures. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that all vehicles used to transport a highway route-controlled quantity of Class 7 (radioactive) material, defined in 49 CFR 173 Subpart I, must have
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