Packaging and Transportation News

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Safe packaging and transportation of materials is critical to the success of DOE operations. Annually, DOE transports about 5,000 shipments including radioactive, hazardous, and non-hazardous materials. Located within EM, the Office of Packaging & Transportation (OPT) supports field sites in achieving safe transportation through development and management of policy, oversight programs, automated tools, and collaborative forums. These programs and tools are available to the entire DOE complex.

Hanford Mission Integration Solutions transports two empty tanks weighing more than five tons each from outside the Hanford Site’s Effluent Treatment Facility to an onsite landfill, making room for wastewater treatment work by EM Office of River Protection contractor Washington River Protection Solutions.
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions transports two empty tanks weighing more than five tons each from outside the Hanford Site’s Effluent Treatment Facility to an onsite landfill, making room for wastewater treatment work.

Office Of Packaging and Transportation Fiscal Highlights

Electrical lineworkers with Hanford Mission Integration Solutions carefully lift overhead power lines to allow a trailer hauling empty tanks to Hanford’s landfill to pass.
Electrical lineworkers with Hanford Mission Integration Solutions carefully lift overhead power lines to allow a trailer hauling empty tanks to Hanford’s landfill to pass.

Packaging Certification Program

The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, gives DOE broad authorities to regulate all aspects of activities involving radioactive materials that are undertaken by DOE or on its behalf, including transportation.  OPT manages the program for the packaging certification of Type B and fissile material packaging which conform with U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements. For additional information about the DOE Packaging Certification Program, visit the Radioactive Material Packaging (RAMPAC) website. The program includes the following:

 

  • providing guidance for preparing Safety Analysis Reports for Packaging;
  • reviewing and approving packaging designs;
  • issuing DOE Certificates of Compliance;
  • reviewing and recertifying Certificates of Compliance;
  • curtailing and suspending the use of specific packages, when warranted; and
  • reviewing and approving quality assurance programs for Type B and fissile materials radioactive materials packaging.

The Packaging Certification Program conducts routine training for radioactive packaging activities related to Safety Analysis Report for Packagings preparation and packaging quality assurance, maintenance and operations.

The first shipment of downblended surplus plutonium from the K Area at Savannah River Site in South Carolina departs the site en route to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico.
The first shipment of downblended surplus plutonium from the K Area at Savannah River Site in South Carolina departs the site en route to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico.

Automated Tools

(Note that these tools require account access and are generally limited to DOE users, contractors, and certain stakeholders.)

Stakeholder Engagement

Oversight and Support Programs

Feedback

Any comments, questions, or concerns related to DOE packaging and transportation programs may be sent to askpat@hq.doe.gov. DOE’s Office of Packaging and Transportation actively monitors this mailbox and will respond to all inquiries as soon as possible.