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Background 

  • California highways are often used for the transportation of radioactive materials (RAM).  This includes materials related to the operation of the following: 

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    • Nuclear Facilities

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      • Diablo Canyon Power Plant (active)
      • San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (inactive)
      • Humboldt Bay Generating Station (decommissioned)
      • Ranch Seco Nuclear Generating Station (decommissioned)
      • McClellan Nuclear Research Center (active)
      • Vallecitos Nuclear Center (inactive)

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    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) 

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      • Recurring annual shipments to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).

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    • Commercial Irradiators 

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      • Sterigenics (Hayward, Gilroy, Tustin, and Corona)

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Notifications and Routing 

  • Section 33002 of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) – Notification required to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for shipments of commercially produced spent radioactive fuel. 

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  • Section 33000 CVC – Adopts regulations for the routing of shipments of Highway Route Controlled Quantities (HRCQ) of RAM. (Title 13, California Code of Regulations [CCR], §1158-1159) 

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  • Section 114765 of the California Health and Safety Code (HSC) – Requires notification of the state’s designee for Category 1 quantities of RAM. (Title 17, CCR, §30373) (10 CFR §37.77) 

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Inspections 

  • Pursuant to Section 385.415(b), Title 49, CFR, a point of origin North American Standard Level VI inspection is required for all HRCQ shipments. Non-HRCQ shipments destined for WIPP are also subject to a point of origin inspection. (Section 34500.7 CVC)

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  • Point of origin inspections are performed via a reimbursable services agreement, as applicable, by the CHP. 

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    • Point of origin WIPP inspections (LLNL) performed in collaboration with personnel from the Nevada Highway Patrol.

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  • Enroute inspections are conducted, as required, or as needed.

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Escorts 

  • Escort of RAM shipments are not required by state laws or regulations. 

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    • The only exception would be if the shipment requires an extralegal permit, and an escort is required to traverse specific roadways due to the size or weight of the shipment.

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Permitting  

  • Hazardous Materials Transportation License required for the motor carrier pursuant to Section 32001 CVC.

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    • Issued by the CHP on an annual basis. 
    • $100 initial, $ 75 renewal.

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  • Hazardous Waste Transporter Registration required for the motor carrier pursuant to Section 25163 HSC.

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    • Issued by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. 
    • Fee varies.

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Roles and Responsibilities 

 

 

  •   The California Energy Commission and the CHP are the primary contacts for shipment notifications.  

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  • The CHP performs Level VI inspections.

 

  • The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services provides assistance to local governments and organizations for radioactive material incident response preparedness.

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  • The California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch is tasked with the inspection of facilities using radiation, investigating radiation incidents, and performs surveillance of radioactive contamination in the environment.​

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Surrounding States

  • The following jurisdictions honor Level VI inspections conducted by other states: 

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    • California
    • Oregon
    • Utah

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  • The following jurisdictions reserve the right to conduct an enroute Level VI inspection on every shipment entering their state:

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    • Arizona
    • Colorado
    • Idaho
    • New Mexico
    • Nevada (Escorts WIPP shipments)
    • Washington
    • Wyoming

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